Transportation is a major issue that needs to be resolved as Manchester United and Trafford Council collaborate on plans to revitalize the Old Trafford district, with a remodeled or renovated football stadium at its core.
If United want to increase the capacity to 90,000 and beyond, something Sir Jim Ratcliffe, their co-owner, said he wants to do, they need to significantly improve transport links to and from the stadium.
The current situation around Old Trafford causes a great deal of inconvenience to the locals because the roads are congested on matchdays, there is not enough space for parking, and the tram’s capacity is already exceeded.
One issue now being discussed is the rail freight terminal a stone’s throw from Old Trafford, just behind the Stretford End, which links to the train line connecting Liverpool to Manchester.
In a perfect world, United wants to use this as a train station to assist in transporting thousands of fans to and from Old Trafford on matchdays as part of the larger Trafford Wharfside project.
The Old Trafford Halt, the club’s existing train station behind the South Stand, has been closed by United due to security concerns in December 2017, hence it has not been used since then.
What’s happening with the freight terminal at the moment?
Several organizations hold the land west of Old Trafford, as the following graphic illustrates: H Company 2, Manchester United, Freightliner, and DB Cargo International. In addition, United’s Alderney Urban Investments holds a leaseholder stake in the portion that is controlled by H Company 2.
On the site are containers, a freight loading area and the rail tracks. According to the terminal’s website, it is a “crucial rail and distribution hub in the North West” and “handles approximately 20 daily Freightliner services to and from the UK’s deep sea ports”.
According to reports in 2010, United paid approximately £11 million to purchase the leasehold on the portion of the property that is owned by H Company 2. As per the club’s documentation, their lease is valid until 2071.
“Properties have been acquired at different times for strategic reasons looking into the future,” George Johnstone, United’s then group property manager, said at the time.
“We have no specific plans for these sites at the moment, but our owners feel it is prudent to prepare for the future when they might be needed for sports-related development.”
Why do Manchester United want to turn it into a train station?
A redesigned stadium with more seating would need a different approach to get spectators in than just using the roads. Train travel from Manchester’s Piccadilly Station in the city center may be one of such options.
Trams currently serve the Trafford Bar and Wharfside stops, but they are at capacity on matchdays and the number of fans who can fit on a tram is far fewer than a train.
The land and line may be developed as a train station for the stadium and wider redevelopment if the freight terminal was relocated.
What has Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said?
Burnham has backed transferring the freight station. Burnham is a member of the task force that is looking into ideas for revitalizing the Trafford region, with the construction of a new stadium at the center of those plans.
In an interview with BBC Radio Manchester on May 16, Burnham stated that the football team and the people of Greater Manchester would both profit from the club’s new location.
“There’s a freight terminal right behind Old Trafford, which means freight trains (need to) come through Piccadilly and Oxford Road,” Burnham said.
“Here is the opportunity to take it away from Old Trafford and put it into Port Salford or Parkside, a scheme in development in Wigan, and then Manchester United have an easier space to use with regards to the redevelopment.
“This is not about public money being used improperly. It’s a win-win opportunity.”
Who would pay for it?
United is currently investigating the possibility of using taxpayer funds for the reconstruction or development of Old Trafford. The Athletic has already explained why it is unlikely that public money would be utilized to build a new stadium.
However, it may be used to finance the conversion of the freight terminal into a rail station provided it served the interests of the larger community and was a part of the revitalization project that also included the construction of new homes, business centers, and recreational spaces.
Ahead of United’s match against Arsenal on May 12, Burnham met with Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, and the pair discussed the club’s plans.
“He was in a good mood,” Burnham said. “This could have benefits for both of those schemes and the Port of Liverpool. Then if you were to regenerate the Old Trafford area and link it to the plans Trafford Council have, it could be a scheme that benefits everybody in the north west.”
Burnham also revealed that Starmer appeared to rule out public money being used towards the stadium if his party were to win the General Election on July 4.
“It would have to be a public-private partnership,” Burnham added. “But it would have to be the club to fund the stadium and associated Manchester United facilities.”
How would United resolve the outstanding security issue?
United closed the Old Trafford Halt station because it stopped directly at the stadium, which presented a risk during times when sports fields were subject to tighter security. Both before they got to the stadium and when they got on the train, it was not able to check everyone.
But if the freight terminal site was to be turned into a new railway station, it is such a large space that there would be room to check people between them disembarking from the trains and entering the stadium.
What happens if a solution can’t be found?
Failure to come up with a solution would undoubtedly restrict what the club could do with its increased capacity, even though it would not prevent Old Trafford from being renovated or redeveloped.
Transport is viewed by those inside the club as key to the success of the wider project. If the freight terminal remains in its existing state, then United would need to think differently about transport and how they manage people coming to Old Trafford.
There are methods to get around the problem for example, Bayern Munich has a parking lot beneath the Allianz Arena but adding more cars would simply make the traffic worse because there are already a lot of automobiles on the roads leading into and out of the stadium when United plays at home.
(Top photo: Michael Regan via Getty Images)
