IT is actually 33 years since the Metrolink extension into Trafford Park was first requested by Trafford Council, after I contacted the Chief Planning Officer in January 1984 and suggested it to him.

In the same way, in June 1985 I first kicked off the proposal for a Salford Quays tram extension.

I still have documents proving that these initiatives were the true starting-points of both projects.

Sad to say, my concerns about the capacity of the existing Metrolink line between Cornbrook Junction and St Peters Square have been brushed aside.

If you turn the Metrolink map on its side, it resembles an hour glass with a very small neck and an extremely large quantity of sand. Six routes will funnel into one platform face at the busy Cornbrook interchange, and it will be difficult enough at normal times to keep all the trams arriving, loading and unloading and getting away promptly.

At times of disruption, matches or special events things may be much worse, and there is surely no spare capacity for the future growth which will arise from added interchange opportunities, transport integration, smart ticketing, economic upturn, increased environmental concerns, better signposting and visibility of tram stops in the suburbs (at Stretford, Didsbury Village, Chorlton, Trafford Bar etc), extra stops (at Gorse Hill and South Brooklands for example) and so on.

Cornbrook tram stop needs expanding urgently into a four-platform interchange, preferably with another pair of tracks going forward into the city.

Otherwise there are going to be some red faces amongst transport bosses.

David Holt
Stretford