Date set for Oldham Metrolink line

The new Metrolink line into Oldham town centre is due to open to the public on Monday 27 January.

The line will have four new stops; Westwood, Oldham King Street, Oldham Central and Oldham Mumps. Oldham Mumps will be used to integrate tram and bus services and provide a park-and-ride site for Metrolink passengers.

Connecting the new line to the network will require a week-long closure of the existing section between Central Park and Rochdale Railway Station. That closure is scheduled to start on Saturday 18 January.

Cllr Jim McMahon, Oldham Council leader, said: "Our wide-ranging regeneration plans are designed to transform what Oldham town centre offers for residents, business and visitors alike, and these will unashamedly capitalise on the arrival of the tram.

"We fully recognise that the construction process has been hard for many people – especially businesses. Councillors Dave Hibbert and Shoab Akhtar have worked in very difficult circumstances to support them through these works and we want to thank them all for their patience.

"The biggest infrastructure project in our history meant disruption was inevitable but once the final closure is complete, and the line opens, we hope people will recognise the bigger picture and the huge benefits of a tram system that will put Oldham back on the national and international transport infrastructure map."

The Oldham Loop Line closed to train services in October 2009 for conversion to Metrolink. The existing, temporary route between the former rail station at Werneth and Oldham Mumps will be decommissioned by the end of spring 2014.