The recently opened Metrolink line though Trafford Park has been recognised as an ‘outstanding engineering achievement’ after scooping several prestigious national industry awards.

The £350m project was chosen as the Outstanding Engineering Achievement award winner at the Global Light Rail Awards. The project was also highly commended in the Project of the Year Over £50m category, as were the Crumpsall stop enhancements in the Project of the Year Under £50m category.

This week’s award win is the latest in a string of successes for the project, and follows on from last Thursday’s 2020 British Construction Industry Awards, where TPL was awarded the Project of the Year, Transport Project of the Year and Health, Safety and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year awards.

When it opened, seven months early on Sunday 22 March, the new line added a 5.5km of track and six additional stops to what was already the UK’s largest tram network, expanding it to a total of 99 stops.

The line runs through Europe’s largest industrial estate, providing commuters, shoppers and leisure travellers with easy access to a wealth of employment, retail, leisure and sporting opportunities.

Both awards ceremonies, which are held annually, took place virtually this year in line with coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

TfGM Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said: “It’s fantastic that the Trafford Park line has been acknowledged by four prestigious national industry awards.

“The line offers sustainable transport links to one of Greater Manchester’s busiest employment spots and some fantastic and very popular visitor destinations, including Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, Imperial War Museum North and intu Trafford Centre. It also provides access to Trafford Park, Europe’s largest trading estate and home to more than 1,300 businesses employing over 35,000 people.

“Undoubtedly, the March opening date posed unprecedented issues as we carefully considered the impact of opening during a growing pandemic. However, I am immensely proud that, thanks to MPT, Metrolink was there to carry key workers during lockdown – and is continuing to support people who need to use public transport as we battle back from the very serious impact the virus continues to have on people and businesses across Greater Manchester.

“I would personally like to thank all our partners, and everybody involved in the project as its successful delivery would not have been possible without such a concerted team effort.”

Photo credit: Transport for Greater Manchester