Eccles New Road, Salford

IPV Vehicle by roundabout, traffic cones indicating lane closure. Photo taken at night.

Manchester Metrolink’s Eccles line required a planned programme of essential maintenance works to replace the 20+-year-old rails in order to ensure a safe and reliable service for future passengers. The line, reported to have transported more than 10 million passengers in the past 10 years crosses a series of major roads and traffic routes in Salford, making this a high-profile scheme.

To undertake this work safely, and minimise disruption to the public, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Salford Highways and MPact Thales (MPT) appointed Go Traffic Management (GTM) as a Strategic Supply Partner to deliver a range of traffic management solutions for multiple phases of the scheme.

Approach

Our team worked closely with key stakeholders to design a traffic management scheme for the phased layout and diversion route to meet the complex needs of the project and high traffic flow.

To support the renewal of more than 2200m of Metrolink Rails across a series of phases, our team implemented a series of diversions, lane and road closures, often along heavy traffic flow routes. GTM Operatives also supported project partners to maintain access for 3^rd party businesses, implement Pedestrian Diversion Routes and multi-phased Temporary Traffic Lights to enable the work to be delivered safely, while keeping the traffic moving around the area.

Throughout the programme of works we provided 24/7 maintenance of the traffic scheme.

Challenge

The scheme required ongoing liaison with key stakeholders – Transport for Greater Manchester, Salford Council, and MPT.

It’s key location as an arterial route through a high-density residential area, with access to Old Trafford, Salford Royal Hospital and Salford Quays. This required a flexible approach by our team, adapting traffic management schemes to meet the needs of stakeholders. In one phase this included providing full attendants on site during Manchester United Games, to maintain safe access and egress for members of the public. In another, we supported the routing for a priority replacement bus service to ensure access to the hospital.

On occasion, our team was required to work through the night to prevent access issues for certain stakeholders, including weekend work to meet the needs of an industrial estate on the route.

Our team also worked with partners to create user-friendly stakeholder maps to provide to residents and businesses along the route.

Conclusion

This scheme demonstrates Go Traffic Managements expert delivery of complex traffic management schemes for major projects in high-profile locations, working with multiple partners and stakeholders.

Our flexible and collaborative approach enabled an extremely positive relationship with clients and partners.

Client Feedback

Since the successful early completion of the multi award winning Trafford Park Line Metrolink Extension in 2020, MPT have been delivering rail renewal works for our client TfGM across multiple areas of the Metrolink network. Having worked collaboratively with GTM over the best part of the last decade GTM have established themselves as our go to Traffic Management delivery partners of choice. GTM have been instrumental in developing and implementing traffic management phasing of the rail renewal works to minimise disruption to the travelling public and optimising a safe segregated working area within the busy highways along the Eccles Line.

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Things our clients say

GTM Operatives never cease to amaze me

These GTM Operativess never cease to amaze me every year they turn out in support to close a major artery in Chesterfield including high speed lane closures with almost military precision on timings…nothing is ever an issue they always have smiles on there faces and join in with the atmosphere for almost 3500 walkers this year. Without them we couldn’t host such an event of this magnitude.

Professional and proactive

…a massive thanks to your team for the professional and proactive manner in the way you have delivered the traffic management on my site. The two lads on site have been absolutely fantastic….they are a credit to you GTM.

GTM give me the flexibility I need

I have 2 children and I feel like GTM give me flexibility when needed which I find really important when you are a parent, it makes me want to work hard and give more back.

I can’t wait to progress

Since starting at GTM last year, I have really enjoyed the mix of people I work with as in my job role as HSEQ Advisor I get to travel to the depots I oversee. The team I am part of is really good in pushing each other and you do get a feel of a little family. I’m very grateful for the opportunity GTM have gave me and I cant wait to progress and grow my career within the company.

Immaculate traffic management

Your approach to working so easily with us has been a real credit…it is so nice to be able to rely on somebody, even the events that were completely out of your control. It has been priceless having a presence on site throughout this project. The traffic management has always been immaculate and in really good order.

Wouldn’t hesitate to use GTM

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for sorting out our traffic management provision – everything was sorted and in place on time and done efficiently…The guys on site both days were great too….Wouldn’t hesitate to use GTM for any of our events.

Well-planned

Many thanks for your hard work completing the temporary diversion. Well-planned and great execution on site. Looking forward to work with you again in the future.

GTM has supported my career path

I started working for GTM in July 2021 as a traffic Management operative…I then got extra training and achieved my M3-M5 Lantra qualification, GTM has supported my career path and I gained my HGV class 2 licence. I was offered a supervisors role I took the opportunity and each day a boosted my confidence.

I have now being enrolled on a 2 year scheme to start my SHEQ role in Health & Safety. GTM is a place you can climb the ladder to better your career path.

Excellent training and support

As a Graduate CAD Technician, I have the opportunity to work on a range of exciting projects and developed my skills in this industry. The company has provided excellent training and support, and I feel valued as a member of the team. The working environment was professional and friendly, and I would recommend Network Plus to anyone looking to start their career in the infrastructure and utility services sector.