Altrincham Interchange#Metrolink

{{No footnotes|date=September 2021}}

{{Short description|Interchange for rail, tram and local bus services in Greater Manchester, England}}{{Use British English|date=April 2025}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox station

| name = Altrincham Interchange

| symbol_location = gb

| symbol = rail

| symbol2 = metrolink

| image = File:Altrincham interchange, through lines - geograph.org.uk - 5329068.jpg | caption = Rail section of Altrincham Interchange (trams on the left, trains on the right)

| borough = Altrincham, Trafford

| country = England

| coordinates = {{coord|53.3875|-2.3472|type:railwaystation_region:GB_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}

| grid_name = Grid reference

| grid_position = {{gbmapscaled|SJ770879|25|SJ770879}}

| manager = Bee Network

| platforms = 4 (2 National Rail, 2 Metrolink)

| code = ALT

| zone = G

| classification = DfT category C2

| transit_authority = Bee Network, Transport for Greater Manchester

| years = 20 July 1849

| events = Original MSJA railway station opens

| years1 = 3 April 1881

| events1 = MSJA station replaced on current site

| years2 = 6 May 1974

| events2 = Name changed from Altrincham and Bowdon to Altrincham

| years3 = 15 June 1992

| events3 = Metrolink service starts

| years4 = 7th December 2014

| events4 = Redeveloped interchange opened

| years5 = 5th January 2025

| events5 = The interchange joins the Bee Network

| mpassengers =

{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2019/20 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.373 million}}

{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2020/21 |passengers={{decrease}} 69,168}}

{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2021/22 |passengers={{increase}} 0.222 million}}

{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2022/23 |passengers={{increase}} 0.248 million}}

{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2023/24 |passengers={{increase}} 0.273 million}}

| footnotes = Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

}}

Altrincham Interchange is a transport hub in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England, owned and managed by the Bee Network. It consists of a bus station on Stamford New Road, a Northern Trains-operated heavy rail station on the Mid-Cheshire Line, and a light rail stop which forms the terminus of Manchester Metrolink's Altrincham line. The original heavy rail element of the station was opened by the Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway as Altrincham and Bowdon railway station in April 1881, changing to Altrincham railway station in May 1974. The Metrolink element opened in June 1992. The Interchange underwent a complete redevelopment, at a cost of £19 million, starting in mid-July 2013. The new, redeveloped interchanged opened on 7 December 2014. The interchange joined the Bee Network on 5 January 2025, who operate the local buses and the Metrolink trams from the interchange. The trains running through Altrincham will join the Bee Network by 2030.

History

File:Altrincham Station entrance-Geograph-5694376.jpg

A [[British Rail Class 304 at Altrincham in 1990|thumb|left]]

File:Altrincham Station clock tower.jpeg

The station was opened on 3 April 1881 as Altrincham & Bowdon by the Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway (MSJAR) to replace Altrincham (1st) railway station on Stockport Road and Bowdon station on Lloyd Street/Railway Street which both closed that day. All platforms were through, with Nos. 1 and 2 (nearest to the town) being used by the MSJAR.{{cn|date=September 2021}}

The Cheshire Lines Committee (CLC) trains from Manchester Central to Northwich and Chester Northgate used platforms 3 and 4. The CLC also operated a service from {{rws|Stockport Tiviot Dale}} via {{rws|Northenden}} to Altrincham, latterly using Sentinel steam railcars, but this service ceased in late 1939.{{cn|date=September 2021}}

The station became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway during the Grouping of 1923. The station then passed on to the London Midland Region of British Railways on nationalisation in 1948.{{cn|date=September 2021}}

Since 6 May 1974, the station has been named Altrincham.{{cite journal |editor1-first=J.N. |editor1-last=Slater |date=July 1974 |title=Notes and News: Stations renamed by LMR |journal=Railway Magazine |volume=120 |issue=879 |publisher=IPC Transport Press Ltd |location=London |issn=0033-8923 |page=363 }} In 1975 a new booking office was opened on platform 4 to serve the car park on the site of the former goods yard. Also in 1975, work began to convert the former station forecourt on Stamford New Road into a bus station, and the Victorian glass-covered canopy over the station entrance was demolished. The new combined Altrincham Interchange bus/rail station was opened in November 1976.{{cn|date=September 2021}}

When Sectorisation was introduced in the 1980s, the station was served by Regional Railways under arrangement with the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive until the privatisation of British Rail.{{cn|date=September 2021}}

Regional Railways electric trains between Manchester and Altrincham ceased serving the station on 24 December 1991.{{sfn|Dixon|1994|p=119}} The former electric train platforms (1 and 2) reopened for use by Metrolink on 15 June 1992.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetrams.co.uk/metrolink/stops/Altrincham |title=Altrincham Metrolink stop : Metrolink |publisher=TheTrams.co.uk |access-date=2018-11-28}}

A new roof for platform 1 costing £180,000 was installed in 2006. This platform had been uncovered since glazed panels were removed in 2003 due to safety concerns. The new roof is made of coated steel with clear panels to let in the light.[http://www.thisistrafford.co.uk/search/display.var.1024423.0.work_starts_on_station_roof.php "Station roof"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616071116/http://www.thisistrafford.co.uk/search/display.var.1024423.0.work_starts_on_station_roof.php |date=16 June 2008 }}, This is Trafford - Retrieved 28 November 2006

The interchange joined the Bee Network on 5 January 2025. The Bee Network operate the local buses and the Metrolink) from the interchange, and will operate the trins running through the station by 2030.

The station clock tower on Stamford New Road, erected in 1880, is a Grade II listed structure.{{NHLE|num=1067962|desc=CLOCK TOWER ON STATION FORECOURT}}{{cite book |last1=Dickens |first1=Steven |title=Altrincham in 50 Buildings |date=15 August 2018 |publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited |isbn=978-1-4456-7459-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dq-IDwAAQBAJ&dq=altrincham+station+clock+tower+1880&pg=PT115 |access-date=21 September 2021 |language=en}}

=Redevelopment=

The Interchange was redeveloped in 2013-15 by Laing O'Rourke. The project was partly funded by the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.{{Cite web |url=http://www.tfgm.com/Corporate/Documents/Consultation/10-0309_Altrincham_Int_Cons.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=8 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208212334/http://www.tfgm.com/Corporate/Documents/Consultation/10-0309_Altrincham_Int_Cons.pdf |archive-date=8 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

The interchange reopened on 7 December 2014, integrating Bus, Rail and Metrolink services again, although the lifts and some roofing in the railway station was not completed until 2015.{{Cite web |url=http://www.tfgm.com/AltrinchamInterchange/Pages/default.aspx |title=Pages - Altrincham Interchange |access-date=8 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208212035/http://www.tfgm.com/AltrinchamInterchange/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=8 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{Cite web |url=http://altrincham.today/2014/12/05/confirmed-altrincham-interchange-to-open-on-sunday/ |title=Confirmed: Altrincham Interchange to open on Sunday | Altrincham Today |access-date=8 December 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141208185719/http://altrincham.today/2014/12/05/confirmed-altrincham-interchange-to-open-on-sunday/ |archive-date=8 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

Services

File:Altrincham Station - geograph.org.uk - 1749635.jpg

Altrincham Interchange has four rail platforms. Two bay platforms are used for Metrolink services. Two further through platforms accommodate train services on the line between {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}} and {{rws|Chester}} via {{rws|Stockport}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.tfgm.com/AltrinchamInterchange/PublishingImages/Altrincham-layout.gif|work=tfgm.com|title=Altincham-layout|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001921/http://www.tfgm.com/AltrinchamInterchange/PublishingImages/Altrincham-layout.gif|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

Altrincham Interchange also has 5 bus stands, lettered as Stand A, Stand B, Stand C, Stand D and Stand E, used for picking up bus passengers. Most bus passengers are dropped off at one of 2 laybys located north of Stand A. There is also an extra layby opposite to stand C, however, it is not used for passengers.

=Rail=

There is a basic hourly service in each direction on the Mid-Cheshire line on Mondays to Saturdays with two peak extras to/from {{rws|Stockport}}, as of April 2025. The services run every 2 hours on Sundays, as of April 2025.

The rail services are set to join the Bee Network by 2030.

File:Altrincham Interchange Metrolink entrance.jpeg

=Bus services=

Many local bus services operate from Altrincham. Most of these are Bee Network services, however, there are also external bus companies running services from Altrincham to outside of Greater Manchester. All Bee network currently cost £2 for a single / "hopper" ticket as of April 2025 and other services leaving Greater Manchester cost £3 for a single ticket, as of April 2025. Bee Network - Bus Tickets https://tfgm.com/tickets-and-passes/bus-tickets}}

Bee Network Services:

11 - Altrincham to Stockport (Stand B/C)

245 - Altrincham to Trafford Centre (Stand E)

247 - Altrincham to Trafford Centre (Stand C)

249 - Altrincham to Wythenshawe (Stand E)

263 - Altrincham to Manchester (Piccadilly Gardens) (Stand D)

279 - Altrincham to Lymm (Stand C)

280 - Altrincham to Dunham Woodhouses (Stand A)

281 - Altrincham to Sale (Manor Avenue) (Stand A)

282 - Altrincham to Oldfield Brow (Stand A)

283 - Altrincham / Hale Barns Circular (Stand A)

284 - Altrincham / Hale Barns Circular (Stand A)

285 - Altrincham / Timperley Circular (Stand A)

286 - Altrincham / Timperley Circular (Stand A)

287 - Altrincham to Bowdon Vale (Stand A)

288 - Altrincham to Manchester Airport (Stand B/C)

370 - Altrincham to Stockport (Stand B/C)

371 - Altrincham to Stockport (Stand B/C)Bee Network - Altrincham Interchange Buses https://tfgm.com/travel-updates/live-departures/bus/altrincham-interchange-bus}}

Other Services:

5 - Altrincham to Warrington (Warrington's Own Buses) (Stand B)Warrington's Own Buses - 5 https://www.warringtonsownbuses.co.uk/services/WBTR/5}}

88 - Altrincham to Knutsford (some services continue onto Macclesfield as the 87, with through tickets available) (D&G Bus) (Stand C)D&G Bus - 87/88 https://www.dgbus.co.uk/bus-services/87-88/88/}}

=Taxi services=

There is also a taxi rank, located on Stamford New Road.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/alt/details.html|title=Altrincham [ALT]|work=nationalrail.uk|access-date=11 December 2016}}

References

{{reflist}}

  • {{Butt-Stations}}
  • {{cite book|last=Dixon|first=Frank|title=The Manchester South Junction & Altrincham Railway|year=1994|publisher=Oakwood Press|location=Headington|isbn=0-85361-454-7}}
  • {{Jowett-Nationalised}}

Further reading

  • {{cite book|title=Chester Northgate to Manchester|first1=Vic|last1=Mitchell|first2=Keith|last2=Smith|at=figs. 77-85|publisher=Middleton Press|year=2013|isbn=9781908174512|oclc=892704846}}