Trams in Salford: 20 years of the Metrolink line in Salford Quays

On this day 20 years ago, Metrolink opened it’s Salford Quays line for the first time.

The line, later extended onto Eccles, was opened by then Prime Minister Tony Blair, who praised the line as  “exactly the type of scheme needed to solve the transport problems of the metropolitan areas of the country”.

Original plans were discussed in the 1980s as Salford Quays began to grow as a business district. Legal authority to construct the line was granted in 1990 before a public enquiry led to government endorsement four years later.

Construction started in 1997, with the line from Cornbrook station to Broadway opened on 6th December 1999.

? ☔ #OnThisDay in 1999, crowds braved the rain to see the official opening of the first part of the #Metrolink Eccles via Salford Quays line.

? Anyone recognise the man with the briefcase? pic.twitter.com/HfRsBJ44Xw

— Manchester Metrolink (@MCRMetrolink) December 6, 2019

The line was further extended to Eccles interchange, opened in 2001 by Anne, Princess Royal.

A short extension was added between Broadway and Harbour City in 2010 as part of the development of MediaCityUK.

Last month, the first tram test for the latest extension to the line, going up to the Trafford Centre, was conducted.

There will be further tests over the next months ahead of the planned opening in the first half of 2020.

Image credit: Tom Page (Flickr) 

Infographics credit: Mair Llewellyn