Delivering Metro for Manchester

The UK's Largest Light Rail Network

Construction and Refurbishment of Retaining Structures, Tunnels, Viaducts, and Bridges

300+

Opened Months Ahead of Schedule

Length of Expansions

65 km

Increasing Mobility in Manchester

Since 2007, we have worked to secure funding, develop, expand, and enhance Greater Manchester’s iconic tram system. This expansion programme will nearly triple the size of the network with 65km of new lines being delivered in a range of urban environments as well as bringing a range of improvements to transform the wider network. This has included the construction and refurbishment of over 300 retaining structures, tunnels, viaducts, and bridges.

Operating as a fully integrated delivery partner, WSP has provided a comprehensive programme management service, including risk management, project controls, and contract management, and extensive engagement with thousands of stakeholders − ranging from members of the public to businesses, local authorities, politicians, interest groups, and statutory bodies.

Our accomplishments as part of the TfGM Metrolink Integrated Delivery include bringing six new lines into service in 12 phases, with 30km of new line opening significantly ahead of schedule.

Location Complexities

The new metro system was designed to drive through the largest industrial estate in Europe and sit next to Europe’s largest shopping centre. We couldn’t make the traffic management programme any more restrictive than it already was, so our team introduced two extra lanes at the weekends by peeling back the TM.

The lines pass the ITV Studios, one of the largest broadcasting and production studios in the UK. Our teams had to ensure that there was limited ground borne or airborne noise that could impact the studio activity.

Agile Engineering

Tackling critical issues - the program constantly being within or ahead of schedule demonstrates our fast response to emerging issues. Most notably, we worked closely with Metrolink RATP Dev Limited (MRDL) to develop an alternative rail junction control solution, to bring forward the opening of the South Manchester Line. Our determination to find better alternatives in the face of sudden and seemingly overwhelming problems has been fundamental to project success.

Finding new ways to overcome challenges is a key component of our program management practices. Our approach to innovation is not limited to novel technical solutions. We seek and apply innovation through scheme development, risk management, and immediate reaction to critical issues. Examples include:

Fully integrated team working: Full integration of the delivery team within TfGM’s organisation with strong knowledge transfer ensured effective development of TfGM’s program management capabilities.

Management of a complex stakeholder environment: We have implemented extensive stakeholder engagement activities to support the delivery program. We also rigorously manage contracting parties and have developed highly effective integrated programming methods to ensure we retained the continued support of all major stakeholders and met public expectations.

Scheme development: The original design for the Oldham Town Centre extension was costly and put funding approval at risk. We developed a solution to construct an at-grade tramway integrated with a fully remodeled highway layout, which has transformed the area to support wider regeneration plans, with significant cost savings.
Risk management: Utility diversions are a key cost and program risk for Light Rail Schemes. They were a huge project in their own right, with over 500 separate contracts worth £105M. Our development of specific solutions to individual problems was a major achievement. We achieved a £10M saving and a nine month reduction on the overall utility diversions program, an effort recognised by the Light Rail Awards.

Light Rail Awards

The project is widely recognised as a success story, receiving numerous awards, notably the National Transport Awards special award for "outstanding performance". The project also received numerous Light Rail Awards including Project of the Year for three consecutive years, and has recently won the Chartered Institute for Highways and Transportation Major Projects Award and the National Rail Civil Engineering award for the extension to Manchester Airport. The project won the 2012 British Precast Concrete Award for the highest levels of innovation, quality and efficiency in its tram stop platform construction.

Our role has recently been extended into 2017 to deliver the Metrolink Second City Crossing, now under construction. Furthermore, successful approval of the TWAO for the new Trafford Park Line would see our tenure extended to 2019.