Proposed developments of Manchester Metrolink

In January 2019, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority published a draft delivery plan detailing its transport priorities for the next five years.

Contained within the document are options to extend some Metrolink lines as well as expansion of Metrolink-style services onto the local heavy rail network using tram-train vehicles.

[3] A new larger four-platform stop located underground below the Manchester Piccadilly High Speed station was planned to replace it.

Initial high level feasibility work was undertaken by officials at Transport for Greater Manchester, which demonstrated the route is technically possible.

Earlier plans (now discarded) had envisaged the Metrolink line to East Didsbury being extended to Stockport along the Mersey Valley.

An existing Metrolink M5000 tram at Piccadilly .
A class 399 tram-train vehicle in operation on the Sheffield Supertram network. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is investigating the use of similar vehicles to extend services onto under-utilised heavy rail lines across Greater Manchester and beyond.