Manchester Airport: Terminal 2 tram extension being considered

The tramline to Manchester Airport has been in operation since 2014

A planned extension to a tram network, which caused confusion when it was mentioned by the government, is being considered.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Network North plan, announced on Wednesday, included extending Greater Manchester's Metrolink to Manchester Airport.

On social media, many pointed out that the line to the airport opened in 2014.

But, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said an extension to the line outside Terminal 2 was being looked at.

In the plan, which was published after the prime minister's speech at the Conservative Party conference which confirmed HS2 North had been axed, the government said it would "boost funding for city regions" and "transform local transport in every part of the North".

This could "pay for schemes such as extending the Manchester Metrolink to Heywood, Bolton, Wigan and Manchester Airport".

Following the publication of the plans, many shared their confusion on social media.

'No clue'

Posting an image of the airport tramline, one person said on X: "This is the Metrolink to Manchester Airport - you know the one Rishi pledged to build yesterday in his speech but is already operating.

"No wonder this country is in the state is in. They ain't got a clue."

Another posted: "I wanted to actually go in and see it with my own eyes. Sometimes twitter is uncharitable.

"I wanted to see it for myself. And it's really there. It really does talk about extending Metrolink to Manchester Airport.

"Metrolink to Manchester Airport opened in 2014."

The Department for Transport said: "This commitment is about connections to Terminal 2 but also part of a broader set of investments designed to strengthen Metrolink to the airport and beyond, allowing for further extension in the future."

A spokesperson for TfGM added there had been an indicative commitment of about £2.4bn to Greater Manchester for local transport for the period 2027/2028 to 2030/31.

"We will continue to work with government, our 10 local authorities and other key stakeholders to discuss how we can best invest the next round of funding in the best interests of our people, places and the taxpayer," they added.

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