Could Metrolink be coming to Partington?

Having a Metrolink service going to and from Partington might have sounded like a pipe dream; however, it might actually become a reality, but not anytime soon.

A letter sent to TFGM by Labour MP Andrew Western was very interesting, more so when near the end he said:

“It is therefore my firm and long-held view that Carrington and Partington should be actively considered for inclusion in the Metrolink network. A Metrolink extension would provide reliable, affordable, and high-capacity public transport, reduce car dependency, and directly address transport poverty by improving access to jobs, education, healthcare, and services.”

He continues by saying, “Such an investment would align strongly with the stated aims of the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2050.”

Having any talk of reopening the disused rail line that goes through Partington out towards Timperley has to be positive; however, sadly, the same man, as a councillor and the then Trafford Labour leader, can be heard a few times on the council’s YouTube account claiming the disused rail line is not viable and will never be used.

The problem is the area needs the Metrolink well before 2050; the money secured for the Carrington Relief Road should have gone towards getting the disused rail corridor reopened again. Network Rail would snap it up without hesitation.

Network Rail would clear the vegetation and trees, making sure the ground is completely cleared, then lay down the track for Metrolink and likely some train services would be trialled, as the rail line could rejoin Skelton Junction in Timperley, which would take services out towards Manchester City Centre and beyond.

Once Metrolink decides to bring the trams to Partington, they would save money because the stations and track will be in use, although linking the tram line to the Altrincham one would need some time to design if it ever got the light of day.

This idea that the MP once rubbished sounds better the more you look at it; people will use rail instead of getting stuck in traffic. It would take 5 minutes to get to Timperley Station, which is situated less than 20m from the A56 Manchester Road, very close to the college and Altrincham Retail Park.

For anyone wanting to head for Sale or Stretford, it would take a short journey on the bus with a stop only 2 minutes away from Timperley Train/Tram Station. These are the things that Partington and Carrington residents, and anyone else in the area, need right now, not in 2050 or beyond!

Certainty is needed to give a boost to Partington, who, if the Carrington Relief Road is approved, will have to put up with the chaos we have been writing about all this time from the first huge housing development. We expect the council planning team will be minded to approve the relief road; we though hope that the councillors in that meeting will remember if they approve it what madness they create once it’s been built.

The chaos and archaeological damage on the Carrington Moss, the loss of more green belt for an expensive road that will be as congested as Manchester Road, more so at peak times, will result because of the council, who might only be thinking of how much they can make from extra road fines! we hope not!