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The Laing
O’Rourke, Thales and
GrantRail consortium (M-Pact Thales) this week signed
the contract and will now begin work on the expansion
of the Manchester Metrolink tram network.
The Greater Manchester Passenger
Transport Executive (GMPTE) has appointed M-Pact Thales
to design, build
and maintain the new lines as part of a £575 million
project, which will see the tram network almost double
in size.
The Department for Transport gave its final approval
for the project last month, and construction work is
due to begin early next year, with the new lines starting
to open in Spring 2011.
Philip Purdy, GMPTE’s Metrolink Director, said: “Residents
and businesses across Greater Manchester have been hugely
supportive of the Metrolink expansion and I’m pleased
we’ve now been able to appoint a construction company
to carry out the work.
“ The new Metrolink routes will make it much easier for
people living and working in the county to use public
transport, and bring major benefits to the local economy.
“ M-Pact Thales has a vast amount of experience, having
worked on tram systems across the UK. The team will work
closely with GMPTE staff and our Metrolink delivery partner,
Parsons Brinckerhoff, to extend the network.”
The new Metrolink lines will cover nearly 20 miles and
include 26 stops. It is also expected to reduce car journeys
on local roads by five million a year and increase the
number of trips passengers make on the network each day
from 55,000 to more than 90,000.
Bryan Diggins, M-Pact Thales’ Project Director,
said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the
contract for this prestigious project. Our team is committed
to completing the Metrolink expansion on time and within
budget.
“Many of our employees
live and work in the area and have already worked on
projects to bring new schools, hospitals
and transport facilities to the region. We also have
people on board who were involved in building the first
Metrolink lines, as well as tram systems in Croydon,
Nottingham and Hong Kong.
“We’re looking forward to working with local communities
to make sure we keep disruption to a minimum, and to
keep people informed about the work.”
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