Letter sent below (28 Sept 16) is self-explanatory about this very important issue for Oldham Borough

Dr Jon Lamonte, Chief Executive, Transport for Greater Manchester, 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester M1 3BG

Dear Dr Lamonte,

I am writing regarding the future routing of Oldham’s Metrolink service, which has been the subject of a number of discussions between Oldham officers and members in the past.

My concern is that now there have been service changes in Metrolink trams stopping at Shaw and Crompton only go to East Didsbury or to Exchange Square, there is no longer any direct Metrolink connection to the principal city-centre railway station, Manchester Piccadilly.

Whilst I welcome the increase in service frequency from Shaw and Crompton to Victoria to every six minutes, I note that there is a disconnect with the twelve minute service from Victoria to Piccadilly.

This appears to be completely contrary to the aims outlined in the original business case, namely a desire to enable passengers from Shaw and Crompton, one of the busiest Metrolink stops in the network, and other stops on the Rochdale-Oldham line, to directly access both the Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly railway stations.

Members expressed concerns to TfGM most recently back in January this year when Transport for Greater Manchester Committee considered a report on the Metrolink 2017 procurement process which included a plan showing both of Oldham’s Metrolink services (from Shaw and from Rochdale) being routed through Exchange Square, meaning no direct connection to Piccadilly Rail Station or to Shudehill and Market Street.  We were assured that the plan was for illustrative purposes only, that it was intended to provide TfGM with a common position from which to assess operator bids and that it did not reflect final services patterns.

Before January this year I personally have raised the issue of a direct link to Piccadilly on more than one occasion at TfGM meetings in both 2014 and 2015.

The procurement process will have moved on and I am now seeking reassurance in advance of your report to TfGMC on 11th November that the proposed service pattern will include a direct service from Oldham to Piccadilly Rail Station.

The phase 1 scheme to convert the Oldham Rochdale Loop Rail Line to Metrolink operation was based on the understanding that it would provide Oldham and Rochdale with a direct through link to Piccadilly Rail Station.  In my view, the GM agreement made in 1989 in respect of this direct connection remains in place, and the new Metrolink 2017 contract provides the opportunity for TfGM to meet this original commitment and ensure that Oldham has a direct Metrolink connection to Piccadilly Station.

If this opportunity is missed, Oldham will be the only Greater Manchester district not to have a direct link by rail or Metrolink to Piccadilly Rail Station and London train services once the Ordsall Chord rail link opens next year.  I have raised this matter at Oldham Council meetings and colleagues of all parties and all are in agreement and consider a direct link to Piccadilly as essential in order to maximise access to employment, transport and leisure opportunities for our residents.

Put simply, is it not possible to run a direct service to Piccadilly via Victoria and then to continue that service onto East Didsbury with the service on the return run being in reverse?  This will provide the direct service and also allow passengers using the tram from stops of the East Didsbury line better access to Piccadilly.

Furthermore will the Second City Crossing not soon make the connections still better with Oldham-Rochdale passengers able to access South Manchester line stops, and residents in South Manchester able to travel directly to Victoria?

I understand we have now made arrangements for Peter Cushing to brief senior officers and members on 7th October in advance of the report to TfGMC on 11th November, but I would like confirmation before then that a permanent direct link from Oldham to Piccadilly Rail Station will be included in the new Metrolink contract when it comes into effect next year.