Manutd1999
Member
Some of the recent discussions in other threads about the trade-offs around Manchester's rail network got me thinking (again...) - surely we can do better than the current messy compromise?
What could be possible if we were prepared to be bold and implement a total recast in the Manchester area? Is a "Manchester Metro" possible using the current infrastructure (+ already confirmed upgrades)? I think it is....
As a first step, developing a metro network requires diverting as many long-distance services as possible away from Castlefield:
In return, we'd have the freedom to create a proper metro network around Castlefield and the Airport. Trains would run at least half-hourly on each branch, with 4ph+ along the core routes. It could have a separate (Bee Network?) branding, flat fares, contactless payments etc.
As a starting point, I'd have a 4ph service from the Airport to Stalybridge (via the Ordsall Chord) and 4ph to Bolton via Salford Crescent (continuing to Blackpool/Wigan). This would ensure frequent, reliable connections to the Airport/Castlefield, alleviating some of the issues caused by diverting the long-distance trains. Depending on pathing, extra services could then run to Liverpool/Wigan via Chat Moss. All services could use identical EMU rolling-stock, with 6-cars and mid-carriage doors to optimise the flow through Castlefield.
Rochdale could act as the terminus for the DMU network, with 2ph to Southport via Atherton and 2ph circular Blackburn-Bolton-Rochdale-Blackburn. Semi-fast Calder Valley services could start from Salford Central, once the turnback is built there.
So we end up with something like this:
Regional / Intercity
1ph Piccadilly - Sheffield - Cleethorpes
1ph Liverpool - Castlefield - Sheffield - Norwich
2ph Liverpool - Victoria - Leeds - North-East/Hull
2ph North Wales/Chester - Victoria - Leeds - North-East/Hull
1ph Scotland - Preston - Victoria
1ph Barrow - Preston - Victoria
2ph Salford - Victoria - Rochdale - Bradford - Leeds
1ph Salford - Victoria - Rochdale - Dewsbury - Leeds
Metro
4ph Airport - Castlefield - Stalybridge
2ph Airport - Castlefield - Bolton - Blackpool
2ph Airport - Castlefield - Bolton - Wigan
2ph Airport - Castlefield - Liverpool/Wigan
2ph Oxford Rd - Warrington
2ph Southport - Atherton - Victoria - Rochdale
2ph Blackburn - Bolton - Victoria - Rochdale - Blackburn
You could develop a similar metro scheme from Piccadily to Alderley Edge/Stoke/Buxton/Glossop.
There would be some losers and it wouldn't be without controversy, but overall, much better than the status quo?
What could be possible if we were prepared to be bold and implement a total recast in the Manchester area? Is a "Manchester Metro" possible using the current infrastructure (+ already confirmed upgrades)? I think it is....
As a first step, developing a metro network requires diverting as many long-distance services as possible away from Castlefield:
- Send the TPE Cleethorpes into the main shed at Piccadilly.
- The Scotland and Barrow services are more difficult, but could they go to Victoria if/when the long-planned turnback is built to the east?
- That only leaves the TPE and TfW Llandudno. Could these be merged into the TPE network, with crew changes at Victoria? There is desire for a 4ph service from Victoria to Leeds post-TRU, so it would make a lot of sense to continue this pattern onto the Chat Mass line (eg, 2ph Liverpool, 1ph Chester, 1ph North Wales). If TfW really disagrees, we could look again at sending that service to Piccadilly via the Mid-Cheshire.
In return, we'd have the freedom to create a proper metro network around Castlefield and the Airport. Trains would run at least half-hourly on each branch, with 4ph+ along the core routes. It could have a separate (Bee Network?) branding, flat fares, contactless payments etc.
As a starting point, I'd have a 4ph service from the Airport to Stalybridge (via the Ordsall Chord) and 4ph to Bolton via Salford Crescent (continuing to Blackpool/Wigan). This would ensure frequent, reliable connections to the Airport/Castlefield, alleviating some of the issues caused by diverting the long-distance trains. Depending on pathing, extra services could then run to Liverpool/Wigan via Chat Moss. All services could use identical EMU rolling-stock, with 6-cars and mid-carriage doors to optimise the flow through Castlefield.
Rochdale could act as the terminus for the DMU network, with 2ph to Southport via Atherton and 2ph circular Blackburn-Bolton-Rochdale-Blackburn. Semi-fast Calder Valley services could start from Salford Central, once the turnback is built there.
So we end up with something like this:
Regional / Intercity
1ph Piccadilly - Sheffield - Cleethorpes
1ph Liverpool - Castlefield - Sheffield - Norwich
2ph Liverpool - Victoria - Leeds - North-East/Hull
2ph North Wales/Chester - Victoria - Leeds - North-East/Hull
1ph Scotland - Preston - Victoria
1ph Barrow - Preston - Victoria
2ph Salford - Victoria - Rochdale - Bradford - Leeds
1ph Salford - Victoria - Rochdale - Dewsbury - Leeds
Metro
4ph Airport - Castlefield - Stalybridge
2ph Airport - Castlefield - Bolton - Blackpool
2ph Airport - Castlefield - Bolton - Wigan
2ph Airport - Castlefield - Liverpool/Wigan
2ph Oxford Rd - Warrington
2ph Southport - Atherton - Victoria - Rochdale
2ph Blackburn - Bolton - Victoria - Rochdale - Blackburn
You could develop a similar metro scheme from Piccadily to Alderley Edge/Stoke/Buxton/Glossop.
There would be some losers and it wouldn't be without controversy, but overall, much better than the status quo?
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