The First Public Metrolink Tram in Rochdale
The final stage of the Rochdale to East Didsbury Metrolink service opened on Monday 31st March 2014. The newly opened stop on Smith Street in the Town centre is adjacent to the newly opened bus interchange.
Trams last ran down Drake Street in November 1932 so they have returned after over 80 years.
STORM would value any photographic records of that system, such as Photo 4 in the gallery.
Photo 1 Smith Street with the new tram terminus on the left and the new bus station on the right. The old bus station on the left is being demolished. The tram on the left will take 55 minutes to reach Market Street in Manchester via Oldham while the number 182 bus on the right will take one hour thirteen minutes to reach Piccadilly Gardens via Chadderton.
Photo 2 A double unit tram at the bottom of Drake Street entering the single line section and turning into Smith Street to reach the new tram terminus. This part of Drake Street is tram only northbound and bus and tram only southbound.
Photo 3 Drake Street just south of the junction with Water Street with a tram heading for the town centre terminus in Smith Street. The traffic sign instructs all traffic except trams to turn right into Water Street.
Photo 4 A similar view with an open top tram heading southwards, probably around 1905. The only other traffic is a horse drawn wagon and a handcart and all the women are wearing long skirts. The four story building on the right at the junction is still clearly visible although it has lost its pitched roof. The Star Hotel building on the right still exists but is no longer a pub although it does serve Guinness.