{{Short description|Railway line in Salford, England}} {{redirect|Ordsall Lane Chord|the former railway station whose site was nearby|Ordsall Lane railway station}} {{EngvarB|date=January 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}} {{Infobox rail line |name = Ordsall Chord |image = 350px |caption = Schematic map showing the Ordsall Chord (also known as the Castlefield Curve) marked in red |type = Heavy rail |system = National Rail |status = Complete |locale = Greater Manchester, England |start = |end = |stations = |open = 10 December 2017 |close = |owner = Network Rail |linelength = |tracklength =
|gauge = {{RailGauge|4ft8.5in}}
|elevation = |map = |map_state = }}{{Ordsall Chord}} [[File:Ordsall Chord, Prince's Bridge and the River Irwell, Manchester.jpg|thumb|right|Panoramic view of the completed Ordsall Chord with the River Irwell, Aviva studios and the Prince's bridge in 2024]] '''Ordsall Chord''', also known as the '''Castlefield Curve''', is a short railway line in Ordsall, Salford, England, which links {{stn|Manchester Piccadilly}} and {{rws|Manchester Oxford Road}} to {{stn|Manchester Victoria}}, designed to increase capacity and reduce journey times into and through Manchester. It allows trains to run from {{rws|Leeds}}, {{rws|Newcastle}} and {{rws|Redcar Central}} direct to {{stn|Manchester Airport}}.
A chord was proposed in the late-1970s and parliamentary powers for its construction were received in 1979, but the project was cancelled. Network Rail revived the proposal in 2010 as part of its Northern Hub proposal. Funding for its construction totalling £85 million was announced in the 2011 United Kingdom budget and construction commenced in 2016. It became operational on 10 December 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Network Rail – Enhancements Delivery Plan |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-Sept-2016.pdf |page=11 |work=Network Rail|date=September 2016 |access-date=8 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013075229/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-Sept-2016.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2016 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Its use since becoming operational has been limited as no additional capacity at Victoria, Oxford Road and Piccadilly has been built to cope with more through services.<ref name="Sharp">{{Cite web |last=Sharp |first=Chris |title=So why is Northern Rail in chaos? Here are 11 reasons |url=https://www.citymetric.com/transport/so-why-northern-rail-chaos-here-are-11-reasons-3952 |work=City Metric |date=6 June 2018}}</ref>
==Background== By the late 20th century, the rail network in Manchester could not support demand. The main stations at Piccadilly and Victoria were not linked and many trains terminated at Victoria taking up excessive platform space.<ref name=FT>[https://archive.today/20150507055055/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/eef5e63a-1b62-11df-838f-00144feab49a.html%23axzz1HbrSIVUu] </ref> One solution, the Picc-Vic tunnel between the stations, was proposed in the 1970s but rejected on cost grounds in 1977.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1036098_rail_tunnel_vision_revived |title=Rail tunnel vision revived |last=Salter |first=Alan |work=Manchester Evening News |date=12 February 2008 |access-date=25 March 2011 |archive-date=12 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112174638/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1036098_rail_tunnel_vision_revived |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author1=Donald T. Cross |author2=M. Roger Bristow |title=English Structure Planning |publisher=Routledge |year=1983 |page=45 |isbn=0-85086-094-6}}</ref>
A curve at Ordsall linking Piccadilly to Victoria was proposed in the late 1970s when it was known as the Castlefield Curve after the nearby district.<ref name="MEN 2010">{{cite news|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/rochdaleobserver/news/s/1193256_multimillion_pound_bid_to_improve_rochdale_station|title=Multi-million pound bid to improve Rochdale station|last=Appleton|first=Dave|work=Manchester Evening News|date=20 February 2010|access-date=25 March 2011|archive-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112174626/http://menmedia.co.uk/rochdaleobserver/news/s/1193256_multimillion_pound_bid_to_improve_rochdale_station|url-status=dead}}</ref> A bill relating to its proposed construction was debated in the House of Commons in June 1979, receiving some support but it was opposed on the grounds that a tunnel would provide a better alternative.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1979-06-26a.365.0|title=BRITISH RAILWAYS (No. 2) BILL (By Order)|publisher=theyworkforyou.com|date=26 June 1979}}</ref> By the end of the year, British Rail had received parliamentary powers to construct the line.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmts.co.uk/explore/history/summary19741985.html|title=Summary of Events: 1974 to 1985|work=gmts.co.uk|publisher=Greater Manchester's Museum of Transport|year=2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111174136/http://www.gmts.co.uk/explore/history/summary19741985.html|archive-date=11 November 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was estimated to cost around £10 million but following opposition from local politicians and a shortage of funding, the project was never started.<ref name=Broadbent>{{cite journal|last=Broadbent|first=Steve|title=How do you solve a problem like Manchester?|journal=Rail|issue=638|date=24 February 2010}}</ref> By 1985 it had been abandoned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1985/mar/19/british-railways-bill-by-order|title=British Railways Bill (By Order)|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|date=19 March 1985}}</ref>
The proposal was included in a draft Network Rail report in 2005 as a solution to overcrowding in the region, at an expected cost of £44 million.<ref name=Broadbent /> In February 2010, the project was revived by Network Rail as part of the Manchester Hub Study, with the intention of receiving government funding by around 2014.<ref name=FT /> On 23 March 2011 George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced £85 million funding for the scheme in the 2011 budget.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-speech-what-osborne-said-ndash-and-what-he-really-meant-2251132.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-speech-what-osborne-said-ndash-and-what-he-really-meant-2251132.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The speech: What Osborne said – and what he really meant|last=Rentoul|first=John|work=The Independent|date=24 March 2011}}</ref> The announcement was unexpected and was welcomed by the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority.<ref>[http://www.gmpte.com/2009_news.cfm?news_id=9006405?submenuheader=3] {{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
==Proposal== The Ordsall Chord provides a direct link between Piccadilly and Victoria stations, allowing trains from Manchester Victoria and the east to continue to Piccadilly. Following completion of the chord, in theory four trains per hour will travel between Manchester Airport/Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria in each direction, and associated reorganisation of train paths and retimetabling will provide eight trains per hour from Manchester Victoria towards the west via Chat Moss, and six trains per hour from Manchester Piccadilly towards either Chat Moss or Bolton and Preston (trains from both Victoria and Piccadilly stations to the west and north west (Chat Moss, Liverpool, Bolton, Preston, etc.) do not actually pass over the Ordsall Chord, both ends of which lead eastwards, but travel over pre-existing track).<ref>[http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR040008/1.%20Pre-Submission/EIA/Scoping/Scoping%20Request/120213_TR040008_Ordsall%20Rail%20Chord%20Scoping%20Report.pdf Ordsall Chord Project Scoping Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601161658/http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR040008/1.%20Pre-Submission/EIA/Scoping/Scoping%20Request/120213_TR040008_Ordsall%20Rail%20Chord%20Scoping%20Report.pdf |date=1 June 2012}}, Network Rail, February 2012. Section 2.2.8, page 6</ref>
The chord is part of the larger Northern Hub project, proposed by Network Rail in the Manchester Hub Study of 2010. The complete scheme would cost around £530 million to implement. The Ordsall Chord will cost £85 million and will allow around 700 extra trains per day to operate into Manchester.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1413410_george_osborne_confirms_85m_piccadilly__victoria_rail_link_in_budget|title=George Osborne confirms £85m Piccadilly – Victoria rail link in Budget|work=Manchester Evening News|date=23 March 2011|access-date=25 March 2011|archive-date=26 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326213518/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1413410_george_osborne_confirms_85m_piccadilly__victoria_rail_link_in_budget|url-status=dead}}</ref> Most through trains on TransPennine Express (TPE) routes to {{stnlnk|Leeds}}, {{stnlnk|Newcastle}} and {{stnlnk|Liverpool Lime Street}} will be re-routed via Victoria rather than Piccadilly but some TPE services to Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle will continue to run via Piccadilly and will stop at {{Stnlnk|Ashburys}} and/or {{stnlnk|Gorton}} and {{stnlnk|Guide Bridge}}. The current fast North TransPennine services will operate via Victoria reducing journey times.
The full scheme includes new through platforms at Piccadilly and track improvements outside Manchester to allow fast expresses to overtake slower stopping trains, reducing journey times to Leeds by 14 minutes on average and to Liverpool by 17. Railfreight access to yards in the Trafford Park area will be improved.<ref name=FT />
thumb|Construction of the Ordsall Chord in October 2016
The chord will preserve connectivity between the relocated east–west services and the city's main rail interchange at Manchester Piccadilly. It will improve access to Manchester Airport which cannot be reached easily from Victoria.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/general/2011/03/23-budget-boost-for-rail-in.html |title=£200 million boost for rail in Budget proposals |work=Railnews.co.uk |date=23 March 2011}}</ref> Without the chord, such operations would require trains to be run to {{stnlink|Salford Crescent}} and then reverse.
Concern was raised about the impact the scheme will have on the historic Grade I listed 1830 railway bridge over the River Irwell, part of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway's original approach to Manchester Liverpool Road railway station, (now the site of the Science & Industry Museum (SIM)), which lies in the path of construction.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/oldest-railway-station-in-the-world-threatened-by-network-rail-plans-9352934.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/oldest-railway-station-in-the-world-threatened-by-network-rail-plans-9352934.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent on Sunday |title= 'Oldest railway station in the world' threatened by Network Rail plans |first=Jay |last=Merrick |date=11 May 2014 |access-date=12 May 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://wnetworkrail.co.uk/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=30064778528 Ordsall Chord Initial Environmental Information], page 6, [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/north/Ordsall-Chord.aspx Ordsall Chord project page], Network Rail. Accessed 17 July 2012<br />[http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR040008/1.%20Pre-Submission/EIA/Scoping/Scoping%20Request/120213_TR040008_Ordsall%20Rail%20Chord%20Scoping%20Report.pdf Ordsall Chord Project Scoping Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601161658/http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR040008/1.%20Pre-Submission/EIA/Scoping/Scoping%20Request/120213_TR040008_Ordsall%20Rail%20Chord%20Scoping%20Report.pdf |date=1 June 2012}}, Network Rail, February 2012. Sections 4.1 to 4.8 (pages 20 to 22) and 2.2.3 (page 6). Via [http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/north-west/ordsall-chord-manchester/ Ordsall Chord project page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823045548/http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/north-west/ordsall-chord-manchester/ |date=23 August 2012}}, Infrastructure Unit, The Planning Directorate. Accessed 17 July 2012<br />[http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR040008/1.%20Pre-Submission/EIA/Scoping/Scoping%20Opinion/120124_TR040008_Scoping%20Opinion.doc.pdf Ordsall Chord Scoping Opinion], Infrastructure Planning Commission, March 2012. See e.g. comment at section 3.31, page 16, and comments by English Heritage on sheets 45–47 of the pdf.</ref>
Detailed designs were presented by Network Rail in November 2012,<ref>[http://www.globalrailnews.com/2012/11/21/ordsall-chord-plans-revealed/ Ordsall Chord plans revealed], ''Global Rail News'', 21 November 2012<br />[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/irwell-bridge-plan-to-link-piccadilly-697026 Irwell bridge plan to link Piccadilly and Victoria rail stations], ''Manchester Evening News'', 15 November 2012</ref> followed in May by the intended planning application, for submission at the end of August 2013.<ref>[http://www.ordsallchord.co.uk/ordsall-chord.asp Designing the Ordsall Chord] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830213433/http://www.ordsallchord.co.uk/ordsall-chord.asp |date=30 August 2013 }}, Network Rail Ordsall Chord website. Accessed 22 June 2013<br />[http://www.networkrail.co.uk/north/Ordsall-Chord.aspx Ordsall Chord], Network Rail main website. Accessed 22 June 2013<br />[http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/north-west/ordsall-chord-manchester/ Ordsall Chord project page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823045548/http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/north-west/ordsall-chord-manchester/ |date=23 August 2012 }}, Infrastructure Unit, The Planning Inspectorate. Accessed 17 July 2012</ref> The plan proposed avoiding the Stephenson Bridge to cross the river on a network arch bridge but severing the museum's main-line rail connection immediately to the east of the bridge, ending the museum's out-and-back live steam trips using a replica of one of Stephenson's 1830 Planet-class locomotives. According to Network Rail, "The removal of this connection is not something that Network Rail takes lightly, and we have explored many alternative solutions before reaching the conclusion that the connection would need to be removed to make way for the chord."<ref>[http://www.ordsallchord.co.uk/heritage.asp The Importance of Heritage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508005026/http://www.ordsallchord.co.uk/heritage.asp |date=8 May 2013}}, Network Rail Ordsall Chord website. Accessed 22 June 2013</ref> The museum opposed the alignment, claiming that it would have "a damaging effect on SIM visitors, volunteers and income."<ref>[http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/MOSI-Bitter-About-Ordsall-Chord MOSI bitter about Ordsall Chord] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123214651/http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/MOSI-Bitter-About-Ordsall-Chord |date=23 January 2013}}, ''Manchester Confidential'', 14 December 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/407434-ordsall-chord-to-sever-mosi-line.html 'Ordsall chord' to sever historic MOSI line], ''The Business Desk'', 14 December 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ministers-asked-to-intervene-over-85m-699415 Ministers asked to intervene over £85m rail link bridge that could cut access to former Liverpool Road station], ''Manchester Evening News'', 20 December 2012</ref>
==Construction== thumb|Ordsall Chord under construction in April 2017 Network Rail submitted the Transport and Works Act application to construct the Ordsall Chord in September 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.globalrailnews.com/2013/09/17/network-rail-seeks-ordsall-chord-approval/ |title=Network Rail seeks Ordsall Chord approval |work=Global Rail News |date=17 September 2013 |access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref> The statutory instrument authorising construction was made on 31 March 2015,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/780/made |title=The Network Rail (Ordsall Chord) Order 2015 |date=31 March 2015 |access-date=10 April 2015 |publisher=Legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> and preparatory works began in October 2015. In January 2016, Network Rail began work on the foundations with a planned completion date of late 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Projects in 2016 set to boost railway capacity and performance in northern England |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2016/jan/northern-projects-2016-to-boost-railway-capacity-and-performance/ |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=25 January 2016 |archive-date=31 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131100723/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2016/jan/northern-projects-2016-to-boost-railway-capacity-and-performance/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> <!--- Completion date is 2017 as per Hendy report ---> In November 2016, Network Rail announced they expected services to run to Manchester Airport from December 2017 and electric trains to run between Manchester and Preston via Bolton with new connections into Manchester from the Calder Valley. 2018 will see the introduction of an hourly direct service from Newcastle to Manchester Airport, which will also mean an extra hourly service between Leeds and Newcastle, and six trains an hour between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nr-promises-manchester-airport-services-via-ordsall-chord-by-end-of-2017 |title=NR promises Manchester airport services via Ordsall Chord by end of 2017 |date=10 November 2016 |access-date=15 November 2016 |publisher=Rail Technology Magazine}}</ref>
Mark Whitby, civil engineer and former President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, appealed against the decision to approve its construction in the High Court. On 14 October 2015, the High Court rejected his appeal and denied Whitby the right to appeal the decision. Whitby did appeal and on 11 January 2016, the Court of Appeal granted Leave to Appeal saying "The grounds of appeal raise important points and have real prospects of success".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2016/01/22/whitby-issues-new-challenge-to-ordsall-chord |title=Whitby issues new challenge to Ordsall Chord |date=22 January 2016 |access-date=29 January 2016 |publisher=Rail Magazine}}</ref> Whitby wanted an alternative that would not sever the main-line rail connection to the Museum of Science and Industry, nor destroy heritage structures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ordsall-chord-linking-manchester-piccadilly-9648581 |title=Ordsall Chord linking Manchester Piccadilly with Victoria delayed over plans to demolish historic buildings |date=15 July 2015 |access-date=29 January 2016 |work=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> The case was heard in March 2016 but Whitby's appeal was rejected.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cox |first=Charlotte |title=One man battle to derail Ordsall Chord finally comes to an end as Judge dismisses appeal |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/one-man-battle-derail-ordsall-11088626 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=23 March 2016}}</ref>
The {{convert|600|tonne|adj=on}} network arch was lifted into place on 21 February 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tfn-ordsall-chord-success-an-example-of-what-nr-can-achieve-with-time-and-money |title=TfN: Ordsall Chord success 'an example of what NR can achieve with time and money' |website=Railtechnologymagazine.com |access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>
==Operation== The first passenger service was at 08:40 on 10 December 2017: Manchester Victoria to Manchester Oxford Road followed by the return service continuing to Leeds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/first-train-crosses-ordsall-chord-14018256 |title=First train crosses the Ordsall Chord and makes railway history |first=Charlotte |last=Cox |date=10 December 2017 |access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>
It was envisaged that congestion at Manchester Piccadilly would reduce by a quarter, in part due to the reduced need for trains to cross the throat of the station, blocking other services.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/lnw/ordsall-chord/ |title=Ordsall Chord – Network Rail |website=Networkrail.co.uk |access-date=10 December 2017 |archive-date=25 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225051256/https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/lnw/ordsall-chord/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-41900101 |title=Rail link for main city stations complete |date=9 November 2017 |work=BBC News |access-date=30 December 2017 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Frankal |first=David |title=The Ordsall Chord Opens! |date=10 December 2017 |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8xdWRDlFCHU |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=M.youtube.com}}</ref> It was hoped there would be more frequent train services through Manchester.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/spotlight-easter-ordsall-chord/ |title=Spotlight on Easter: Ordsall Chord – Network Rail |website=Networkrail.co.uk |access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>
However this has not yet materialised, particularly after the May 2018 timetable which created widespread disruption around Manchester. The Ordsall Chord's lack of use in comparison to its £100 million cost has been attributed to a lack of capacity at Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Victoria to cope with increased 'through' services that the Chord generates.<ref name="Sharp"/>
Chief Executive of Network Rail, Andrew Haines, remarked upon the inadequacies of the infrastructure to support the Ordsall Chord as part of a review in Network Rail's operations:
{{blockquote|"The Ordsall Chord is a classic example of a fantastic piece of infrastructure which has unlocked great new journey opportunities ... but where the new infrastructure was not supported by a sufficiently rigorous operating plan. Nobody really looked at how we would reliably operate 15 trains an hour, across six flat junctions in the space of a few miles, with disparate rolling stock, much of which will have travelled for several hours picking up potential delay on the way."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Nigel |title=Comment from the Archives: R872 - Stakes could not be higher |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/research-hub/comment/comment-from-the-archives-r872-stakes-could-not-be-higher |work=Rail |access-date=3 January 2020}}</ref>}}
In January 2021, the UK government published proposals to deal with congestion on the Castlefield corridor through Manchester Oxford Road and Piccadilly. One option would reduce the use of the Ordsall Chord to one train each way every hour.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/951401/manchester-recovery-task-force-public-consultation.pdf |format=PDF |title=Manchester Recovery Task Force Public Consultation |website=Assets.publishing.service.gov.uk |access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref>
==See also== * Northern Hub * Northern Powerhouse * Windsor Link
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[http://www.networkrail.co.uk/north/Ordsall-Chord.aspx Ordsall Chord], Network Rail project page *[http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/content/detail.aspx?ReleaseID=5016&NewsAreaID=2&SearchCategoryID=2 Network Rail – £530m rail investment proposed for north England Cities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314070532/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/content/detail.aspx?ReleaseID=5016&NewsAreaID=2&SearchCategoryID=2 |date=14 March 2012}}, Network Rail announcement of results of 'Manchester Hub' study, 2010 *[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-12831544 BBC News – Manchester rail link welcomed as a 'boost' to region], BBC News *[http://cleveret.net/stuff/ordsallchordoverlay.htm Network Rail Plans overlaid onto Google map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106083236/http://cleveret.net/stuff/ordsallchordoverlay.htm |date=6 January 2014}}
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Category:Transport in Manchester Category:Rail transport in Greater Manchester Category:Network arch bridges