The plan to expand Metrolink to Salford's rugby stadium

Salford council is pushing for a Metrolink expansion to the city’s rugby stadium.

Bosses say they want “more transport options” to the ground and have spoken to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) about building another tram stop. The stadium - home to Salford Red Devils and Sale Sharks rugby clubs - came under council control last week after the town hall wrapped up a £7.7 million deal with Peel which took nearly 12 months to complete.

There are plans to ‘sweat the asset’ by getting more people to the stadium for events, but this relies on creating better transport links.

READ MORE: The changes coming to Greater Manchester schools and colleges now Andy Burnham has 'green light'

Labour-led Salford council said a Metrolink expansion would “fit perfectly with this” and vowed to push the region’s transport chiefs to get it done.

TfGM was approached for comment.

Much of the land around the stadium is also under council control with plans to sell this off for development, aimed at bringing new businesses to the city near Port Salford.

Salford Mayor Paul Dennett said six acres of land is “already under offer” with nearly two acres due to be sold “imminently.”

Creating a logistics and business hub around the stadium creates a strong case for improved transport connections, with the potential for hundreds of people travelling to the area for work.

In July, TfGM shared a blueprint for the future of Metrolink which included extended lines in Salford.

Options were shared to expand the network in the city with '1.5km of new construction' needed to link Salford Quays and Salford Crescent, and further lines being mooted on the Trafford Park line to Salford Community Stadium and Port Salford.

But this work is likely many years away from becoming reality, with funding and business plans needed before any expansion takes place.