Oldham Loop Line - Metrolink Conversion

Metrolink Conversion

The Oldham Loop was included in proposals in 1984 for conversion to light rail operation. The proposed Light Rapid Transit system was intended to run from Rochdale via Oldham through Manchester Victoria and across Manchester City Centre via on-street tram lines. The system eventually came into operation in 1992 as Manchester Metrolink. While the Oldham loop line was not included in the first phase of Metrolink, the line is currently being converted to Metrolink operation as part of its Phase 3 development.

Work started on the conversion in 2009, after the heavy rail services ceased on 3 October 2009. Replacement bus services were planned to operate until the tram service commenced, but lack of patronage led to their withdrawal within months. Pending completion, former rail users have the choice between normal bus services, none of which run along the complete length of the loop line, or driving to an alternative rail head. The latter occurred immediately after the Oldham Loop closure, leading to severe overcrowding on the Caldervale line.

GMPTE originally announced that Metrolink services would be introduced as follows

• Manchester to Central Park (Monsall) - spring 2011
• Manchester to Oldham Mumps - autumn 2011
• Manchester to Rochdale station - spring 2012

By summer 2011, the project was running several months behind schedule. The reasons include diversion of resources to other Metrolink extensions to Chorlton and Ashton (themselves badly behind schedule) and issues with the new signalling system proposed for systemwide use. No section of Metrolink has opened as originally scheduled since the tram system's inception. Announced dates for Oldham loop openings were shown on Metrolink's own site as follows on August 11, 2011

• Manchester to Central Park - winter 2011
• Manchester to Oldham Mumps via former railway line - spring 2012
• Manchester to Rochdale station - summer 2012
• Oldham/ Rochdale street sections - 2014

TfGM announced during the week commencing 4 June 2012 that the line as far as Oldham Mumps will open to passenger services as an extension of the Manchester Victoria to St Werburgh's Road service on Wednesday 13 June 2012.

The local press have reported a series of complaints about the conversion project and, latterly, the delayed opening dates.

Phase 3B of the expansion project envisages constructing a branch between Werneth and Oldham Mumps into Oldham town centre.