A NUMBER of roads and footpaths will close for up to three years from this month as work on the new Trafford Park tram line ramps up.

Residents and motorists are being advised of a series of road closures and highway changes to accommodate the £350 million scheme, which will travel through Trafford Park and end at intu Trafford Centre.

The closures and changes, expected to remain in force for approximately three years, have been planned by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) in partnership with Trafford Council.

Work to build the line includes major utility diversions, installing 5.5km track and associated overhead line infrastructure, building six new stops, and changes to the highway to allow trams to run in segregated lanes alongside road traffic.

The initial road closures and changes will be introduced in three phases.

From Monday May 8, Mosley Road will be closed south at its junction with Village Way, which will also include a footway closure on the south side of Village Way.

The second phase, from Monday May 22, will include a closure of Wharf End and Victoria Place, a footway closure on Sir Alex Ferguson Way, and a temporary 30mph speed limit on Park Way.

And then from Monday June 19, Village Way and Trafford Wharf Road will become temporarily one-way eastbound, with further closures of adjoining roads.

Diversions will be put in place and local bus services will be re-routed. Road users are encouraged to allow more time for their journeys.

Alex Cropper, head of projects at TfGM, said: “These temporary road changes are essential to allow us to build the new Trafford Park Metrolink line as efficiently as possible, while keeping access for businesses and anyone who is working in, living in or travelling through the area.

“We are installing several CCTV cameras so that we can closely monitor the impact of the changes and, where necessary, adjust traffic lights to keep traffic flowing. A number of roadside electronic signs will also be installed around the wider Trafford area to advise local road users of the works taking place.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the works but hope that by sharing this information now, before the temporary road closures are introduced, people can plan ahead and adapt their journeys.”

Metrolink staff will be available to any answer questions at the following drop-in sessions: Monday May 8, 10am – 4pm at the Imperial War Museum North; Tuesday May 9, 10am 4pm at MediaCityUK, Studio Building, The Open Centre; Wednesday May 10, 10am – 10pm at intu Trafford Centre, Lower Peel Avenue; and Thursday May 11, 10am – 4pm at EventCity.

To speak to someone about the work contact TfGM Future Metrolink team on 0161 244 1555 or email at MetrolinkTPL@tfgm.com.

More information, including road maps, is available at tfgm.com/MetrolinkTPL.