Manchester Airport Metrolink tram line completed early

Construction of a tram line to Manchester Airport has been completed over a year early, the city's transport executive has said.

The nine-mile (14.5km) line, which runs to the airport via Wythenshawe from Chorlton, was due to open in 2016.

However, Transport for Greater Manchester said "early delivery" of other lines had allowed work on it to be brought forward.

Testing of the line, which should open by December, began on Monday 23rd June.

Sir Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council, described the opening of the line as "a tremendous boost" for the city.

"For Wythenshawe, it will be a pivotal moment in the town's regeneration [and] for the airport, it will provide another attractive transport option."

The construction of the line, which also passes through Northern Moor, Baguley and Benchill, has seen the building of a viaduct over the Mersey Valley and two bridges over the M60 and M56.

The 15-stop service will also see a 300-space park and ride facility opened at Sale Water Park.

Nottingham tram extension opening to be delayed

Nottingham's tram extension will be delayed until early 2015, the contractors building the two new lines have admitted.

A spokesman said "rigorous" testing of the lines was needed to ensure the safety of the £570m extension.

Nottingham City Council said it was disappointed the project would not be completed by Christmas.

The authority urged the firm to open sections of the lines to Beeston and Chilwell as soon as possible.

Loss of trade

Project director Paul Harris, spokesman for contractors Taylor Woodrow Alstom, said: "We were planning that this phase of work would be completed during December but we have now briefed the city council that the testing programme is likely to go beyond this point."

The spokesman said the "disruptive" part of the project would be substantially completed by the end of the summer.

The extension to the tram system has caused some disruption along the new routes

Businesses and residents in many areas along the two new routes have complained about loss of trade and disruption during the construction work.

Council spokesman Jane Urquhart said it was disappointing the tram services would not fully open to the public in December.

However, the council was pleased the delay was "only slight", she said.

The extension of the city's tram network will see two new lines running from the city centre - one to Chilwell via the Queen's Medical Centre and Beeston, the other to Clifton via Wilford.