MediaCityUK is a development within Salford Quays, on the site of the former Manchester Docks. When an active port, the quays were served by numerous railway goods lines.
The Metrolink's extension into Salford Quays was part of a programme of urban renewal for the area around the Manchester Ship Canal. Plans for a light rail system into Salford Quays have existed since around 1987, initially as far as Broadway;[1] the proposals evolved, with plans for a branch line to serve the Lowry arts centre.[2] The MediaCityUK extension replaced that proposal.[3] It opened on 20 September 2010,[4] as the terminus of a specially-constructed 360-metre-long spur (0.22 mi) from the Eccles Line.
Services to the station were suspended following an incident at the Harbour City crossover on the second day of operation. A driver reversed after only partially passing over spring-loaded points causing the tram to straddle two tracks and hit a central support column.[5]
The station was originally served by a dedicated Piccadilly - MediaCityUK service during enhanced service (07:00-20:00 Mon-Fri; 09:00-18:30 Sat). However, as of 28 January 2018, services were extended to operate between MediaCityUK and Etihad Campus during enhanced service every 12 minutes, with Eccles - Ashton services calling outside of these times.[6] The Etihad Campus service was further extended to Ashton in January 2019[7][8] meaning a through service between MediaCityUK and Ashton during all hours of operation.
The MediaCityUK to Ashton service was withdrawn in March 2020, along with other enhanced service, in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. As a result, all trams to and from Eccles called at MediaCityUK. On 25 September 2023, services were reintroduced between MediaCityUK and Etihad Campus during enhanced service every 12 minutes.[9] Trams to and from Eccles only call at MediaCityUK outside of enhanced hours (before 07:00 and after 20:00 Mon-Fri; Before 09:00 and after 18:30 Saturdays; all day Sundays and Bank Holidays).
