IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Sidbury Road, MANCHESTER, M21 8XN

In the 1990s the disused Fallowfield Loop line and part of the disused railway line west of Chorlton Junction was converted to a cycle path. When this photo was taken work was well underway to re-open the line as far as the junction as part of the Metrolink tram network. This opened on 7 July 2011. The cycleway has now been realigned to cross the tracks a short distance from this location and the cutting widened to accommodate both the cycleway and the tram tracks.

This photo was taken a week before the opening of the Metrolink extension to Chorlton-cum-Hardy and St Werburgh's Road. For a number of years previously the disused railway trackbed had been used as part of a popular cycle path. In utilising the former heavy rail line towards Chorlton Junction as part of the light rail network, it has been necessary to realign the cycleway to run along on side of the tram lines. Beyond the level crossing a long ramp can be seen, which provides step free access to the tram station.

This photo was taken just over a week before the tram service commenced. The extension to St Werburgh's Road runs along a previously disused heavy rail line, last used for passenger traffic in the 1960s and freight traffic in the late 1980s.

Clearance of the route for the Metrolink extension to St Werburgh's Road was well under way. The tram route utilises the formerly disused Manchester South District Line. This is the section between Wilbraham Road and St Werburgh’s Road.

The disused Fallowfield Loop railway line and a short section of the South District Line west of St Werburgh's Road (seen here) were converted into a cycle path in the 1990. This was the final section linking to the end of Sidbury Road. By summer 2009 work was well under way to re-open the line from Old Trafford to Chorlton Junction as an extension to the Metrolink tram network. The cranes visible in the photo were being used by a piling contractor. The line re-opened on the 7th July 2011. The cycle path has been realigned to cross the track via a level crossing and run along the north side as far as the new St Werburgh's Road stop.

The opening of the new extension to St. Werburgh's Road is now imminent. This view is looking in the direction of Manchester city centre. On the right is the access ramp from St. Werburgh's Road. This continues as a footpath under the bridge to give access to the platforms of the St. Werburgh's Road tram stop. Photographed from the bridge carrying St. Werburgh's Road across the tramway, part of the parapet of which is in the right hand bottom corner. Image

Looking along the line of the disused railway line towards Chorlton Junction from the start of the route near Sidbury Road. The cycleway, developed in the late 1990s, is to be realigned to cross the tracks and run along the north side to accommodate the planned extension to the Metrolink network to St Werburgh's Road. Work had already commenced to clear the line and widen the cutting.

The disused railway line through Chorlton has been re-utilised for an extension to the Metrolink tram network. By December 2009 work was well under way. This was the section between the site of Chorlton-cum-Hardy station and St Werburgh's Road.

Corkland Road

When this photograph was taken in May 2011, a temporary barrier had been placed across the tracks, as can be seen in this view. Photographed from the bridge taking St. Werburgh's Road across the tramway. Image