M-Pact Thales consortium gets green light on £575m Metrolink extension

The M-Pact Thales consortium of Laing O’Rourke, GrantRail and Thales has been given the green light to start work on the £575m expansion of Manchester’s Metrolink tram system.

The news comes after the Department for Transport (DfT) gave its final approval for the scheme last month.

Funding for the scheme will come from the DfT’s Transport Innovation Fund and from a loan supported by the introduction of a limited, peak-time only congestion charge.

Construction work for client Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive is due to start early next year.

The contract will involve the construction of new lines to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden in Tameside and Chorlton in south Manchester.

The new lines are expected to be operational from spring 2011.