Environmental surveys on proposed tram routes

Date article online: 02/04/2008

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE), who are overseeing the multi-million-pound expansion of the Metrolink network to Rochdale and Oldham, Droylsden in Tameside, Chorlton in South Manchester, and Media City:UK at Salford Quays, have commissioned a number of environmental surveys to be carried out in Greater Manchester along the routes where the Metrolink network is to be extended.

Experts will check to see if protected species live along the new routes.

They will also record which trees and shrubs will need to be replaced and examine air and noise quality.

In addition, specialists will check traffic levels, develop plans to manage the flow of traffic and examine ground and drainage conditions.

The surveys will take place from spring through to the autumn.

Michael Renshaw, GMPTE's Interim Service Delivery Director, said: "We need to have up-to-date information about the new Metrolink routes so that we know what to expect when work starts on building them."

Most of the surveys will take place between 8.00am 6.00pm, although some will involve dawn and dusk observations of bats and other protected species.