View source for Altrincham Interchange

{{No footnotes|date=September 2021}}
{{Short description|Interchange for rail, tram and local bus services in Greater Manchester, England}}{{Use British English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox station
| name                = Altrincham Interchange
| symbol_location     = gb
| symbol              = rail
| symbol2             = metrolink
| image = File:Altrincham interchange, through lines - geograph.org.uk - 5329068.jpg | caption = Rail section of Altrincham Interchange (trams on the left, trains on the right)
| borough             = [[Altrincham]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Trafford|Trafford]]
| country             = [[England]]
| coordinates         = {{coord|53.3875|-2.3472|type:railwaystation_region:GB_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
| grid_name           = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|Grid reference]]
| grid_position       = {{gbmapscaled|SJ770879|25|SJ770879}}
| manager             = [[Bee Network]]
| platforms           = 4 (2 [[National Rail]], 2 [[Manchester Metrolink|Metrolink]])
| code                = ALT
| zone                = G
| classification      = [[United Kingdom railway station categories|DfT category]] C2
| transit_authority   = [[Bee Network]], [[Transport for Greater Manchester]]
| years               = 20 July 1849
| events              = Original MSJA railway station opens
| years1              = 3 April 1881
| events1             = MSJA station replaced on current site
| years2              = 6 May 1974
| events2             = Name changed from Altrincham and Bowdon to Altrincham
| years3              = 15 June 1992
| events3             = [[Manchester Metrolink|Metrolink]] service starts
| years4              = 7th December 2014
| events4             = Redeveloped interchange opened
| years5              = 5th January 2025
| events5             = The interchange joins the [[Bee Network]] 
| mpassengers =
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2019/20 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.373 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2020/21 |passengers={{decrease}} 69,168}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2021/22 |passengers={{increase}} 0.222 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2022/23 |passengers={{increase}} 0.248 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2023/24 |passengers={{increase}} 0.273 million}}
| footnotes           = Passenger statistics from the [[Office of Rail and Road]]
}}
'''Altrincham Interchange''' is a [[transport hub]] in [[Altrincham]], [[Greater Manchester]], England, owned and managed by the [[Bee Network]]. It consists of a [[bus station]] on Stamford New Road, a [[Northern Trains]]-operated [[heavy rail]] station on the [[Mid-Cheshire Line]], and a [[light rail]] stop which forms the terminus of [[Manchester Metrolink]]'s [[Altrincham line]]. The original heavy rail element of the station was opened by the [[Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway]] as '''Altrincham and Bowdon railway station''' in April 1881, changing to '''Altrincham railway station''' in May 1974. The Metrolink element opened in June 1992. The Interchange underwent a complete redevelopment, at a cost of £19 million, starting in mid-July 2013. The new, redeveloped interchanged opened on 7 December 2014. The interchange joined the [[Bee Network]] on 5 January 2025, who operate the local buses and the [[Manchester Metrolink|Metrolink]] trams from the interchange. The trains running through Altrincham will join the [[Bee Network]] by 2030.

==History==
[[File:Altrincham Station entrance-Geograph-5694376.jpg|thumb|left|Altrincham Station entrance in 1975, before the introduction of a bus station]]
[[File:BR multiple unit at Altrincham station - geograph.org.uk - 199795.jpg|A [[British Rail Class 304]] at Altrincham in 1990|thumb|left]]
[[File:Altrincham Station clock tower.jpeg|thumb|left|upright|Altrincham Station clock tower]]
The station was opened on 3 April 1881 as Altrincham & Bowdon by the [[Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway]] (MSJAR) to replace [[Altrincham (1st) railway station]] on Stockport Road and [[Bowdon railway station|Bowdon station]] on Lloyd Street/Railway Street which both closed that day. All platforms were through, with Nos. 1 and 2 (nearest to the town) being used by the MSJAR.{{cn|date=September 2021}}

The [[Cheshire Lines Committee]] (CLC) trains from [[Manchester Central railway station|Manchester Central]] to [[Northwich railway station|Northwich]] and [[Chester Northgate railway station|Chester Northgate]] used platforms 3 and 4. The CLC also operated a service from {{rws|Stockport Tiviot Dale}} via {{rws|Northenden}} to Altrincham, latterly using [[Sentinel Waggon Works|Sentinel]] steam railcars, but this service ceased in late 1939.{{cn|date=September 2021}}

The station became part of the [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway]] during the [[Railways Act 1921|Grouping]] of 1923. The station then passed on to the [[London Midland Region of British Railways]] on [[nationalisation]] in 1948.{{cn|date=September 2021}}

Since 6 May 1974, the station has been named Altrincham.<ref>{{cite journal |editor1-first=J.N. |editor1-last=Slater |date=July 1974 |title=Notes and News: Stations renamed by LMR |journal=[[The Railway Magazine|Railway Magazine]] |volume=120 |issue=879 |publisher=IPC Transport Press Ltd |location=London |issn=0033-8923 |page=363 }}</ref> In 1975 a new booking office was opened on platform 4 to serve the car park on the site of the former goods yard. Also in 1975, work began to convert the former station forecourt on Stamford New Road into a bus station, and the Victorian glass-covered canopy over the station entrance was demolished. The new combined Altrincham Interchange bus/rail station was opened in November 1976.{{cn|date=September 2021}}

When [[British Rail brand names|Sectorisation]] was introduced in the 1980s, the station was served by [[Regional Railways]] under arrangement with the [[Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive]] until the [[privatisation of British Rail]].{{cn|date=September 2021}}

Regional Railways electric trains between Manchester and Altrincham ceased serving the station on 24 December 1991.{{sfn|Dixon|1994|p=119}} The former electric train platforms (1 and 2) reopened for use by Metrolink on 15 June 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetrams.co.uk/metrolink/stops/Altrincham |title=Altrincham Metrolink stop : Metrolink |publisher=TheTrams.co.uk |access-date=2018-11-28}}</ref>

A new roof for platform 1 costing £180,000 was installed in 2006. This platform had been uncovered since glazed panels were removed in 2003 due to safety concerns. The new roof is made of coated steel with clear panels to let in the light.<ref>[http://www.thisistrafford.co.uk/search/display.var.1024423.0.work_starts_on_station_roof.php "Station roof"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616071116/http://www.thisistrafford.co.uk/search/display.var.1024423.0.work_starts_on_station_roof.php |date=16 June 2008 }}, This is Trafford - Retrieved 28 November 2006</ref>

The interchange joined the [[Bee Network]] on 5 January 2025. The [[Bee Network]] operate the local buses and the [[Manchester Metrolink|Metrolink]]) from the interchange, and will operate the trains running through the station by 2030. 

The station clock tower on Stamford New Road, erected in 1880, is a [[Grade II listed]] structure.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1067962|desc=CLOCK TOWER ON STATION FORECOURT}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Dickens |first1=Steven |title=Altrincham in 50 Buildings |date=15 August 2018 |publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited |isbn=978-1-4456-7459-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dq-IDwAAQBAJ&dq=altrincham+station+clock+tower+1880&pg=PT115 |access-date=21 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

===Redevelopment===
The Interchange was redeveloped in 2013-15 by [[Laing O'Rourke]]. The project was partly funded by the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tfgm.com/Corporate/Documents/Consultation/10-0309_Altrincham_Int_Cons.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=8 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208212334/http://www.tfgm.com/Corporate/Documents/Consultation/10-0309_Altrincham_Int_Cons.pdf |archive-date=8 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The interchange reopened on 7 December 2014, integrating Bus, Rail and Metrolink services again, although the lifts and some roofing in the railway station was not completed until 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tfgm.com/AltrinchamInterchange/Pages/default.aspx |title=Pages - Altrincham Interchange |access-date=8 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208212035/http://www.tfgm.com/AltrinchamInterchange/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=8 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://altrincham.today/2014/12/05/confirmed-altrincham-interchange-to-open-on-sunday/ |title=Confirmed: Altrincham Interchange to open on Sunday &#124; Altrincham Today |access-date=8 December 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141208185719/http://altrincham.today/2014/12/05/confirmed-altrincham-interchange-to-open-on-sunday/ |archive-date=8 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Services==
[[File:Altrincham Station - geograph.org.uk - 1749635.jpg|thumb|Looking south to Altrincham Station; the terminating Metrolink tram tracks are to the right, and mainline railway through tracks to the left]]
Altrincham Interchange has four rail platforms. Two bay platforms are used for Metrolink services. Two further through platforms accommodate train services on the line between {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}} and {{rws|Chester}} via {{rws|Stockport}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfgm.com/AltrinchamInterchange/PublishingImages/Altrincham-layout.gif|work=tfgm.com|title=Altincham-layout|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001921/http://www.tfgm.com/AltrinchamInterchange/PublishingImages/Altrincham-layout.gif|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Altrincham Interchange also has 5 bus stands, lettered as Stand A, Stand B, Stand C, Stand D and Stand E, used for picking up bus passengers. Most bus passengers are dropped off at one of 2 laybys located north of Stand A. There is also an extra layby opposite to stand C, however, it is not used for passengers.

===Rail===
There is a basic hourly service in each direction on the [[Mid-Cheshire line]] on Mondays to Saturdays with two peak extras to/from {{rws|Stockport}}, as of April 2025. The services run every 2 hours on Sundays, as of April 2025.

The rail services are set to join the [[Bee Network]] by 2030.
[[File:Altrincham Interchange Metrolink entrance.jpeg|thumb|Metrolink Stop Entrance (bus station entrance)]]

===Metrolink===
{{Infobox station
| style               = Manchester Metrolink
| name                = Altrincham
| type                = [[Manchester Metrolink|Metrolink]] station
| image               = File:Altrincham Interchange (3).JPG
| caption             = A [[M5000]] at Altrincham Interchange  on Platform 1
| borough             = {{Comma separated entries|[[Altrincham]]|[[Metropolitan Borough of Trafford|Trafford]]}}
| country             = England
| coordinates         = {{coord|53.38752|-2.34734|type:railwaystation_region:GB-TRF|display=inline|format=dec}}
| line                = [[Altrincham Line]]
| status               = In operation
| zone                = 4
| opened              = 
| opening             = 
| original            = [[Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway]]
| postgroup           = Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway
| pregroup            = Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway
| platforms           = 2
| years2              = 1992
| events2             = Conversion to Metrolink operation
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-custom = {{maplink|from=Manchester Metrolink.map|zoom=13|frame-latitude=53.38752|frame-longitude=-2.34734|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=300|frame-height=300|type2=point|coord2={{coord|53.38752|N|2.34734|W}}|marker2=rail-light|marker-color2={{rcr|Manchester Metrolink}}}}
| map_state = collapsed
| map_type = 
| map_caption = 
| route_map           = {{Manchester Altrincham Metrolink line}}

}}
There are frequent [[Manchester Metrolink|Metrolink]] services from Altrincham.

The [[Altrincham]] to [[Manchester Piccadilly|Piccadilly]] service runs daily. The first tram, on Mondays to Saturdays, runs at 05:48. These services typically run every 12 minutes. On Mondays to Thursdays, the last tram leaves Altrincham at 23:36. Late at night, extra services run from [[Altrincham]] to [[Old Trafford tram stop|Old Trafford]], with the last running at 00:36. On Fridays and Saturdays, the service extends to [[Etihad Campus tram stop|Etihad Campus]] from 8pm. The service continues to run every 12 minutes until 23:36, where it runs at 00:00, and 00:24. Extra services run from [[Altrincham]] to [[Old Trafford tram stop|Old Trafford]] late at night, with the last service leaving [[Altrincham]] at 01:09. All Piccadilly services extend to [[Etihad Campus tram stop|Etihad Campus]] on Sundays and public holidays, with the first tram at 06:51 and the last tram at 23:36, running every 15 minutes. Like Mondays to Saturdays, there are some extra late night services from [[Altrincham]] to [[Old Trafford tram stop|Old Trafford]]. The last of these services runs at 00:21.<ref>First and Last Tram Times https://tfgm.com/plan-a-journey/schedules/first-and-last-tram-times}}</ref>
<ref>Bee Network - Tram Service Frequencies https://tfgm.com/plan-a-journey/schedules/tram-schedule}}</ref>


There is also an [[Altrincham]] to [[Bury Interchange|Bury]] service, which runs every 12 minutes from 7am to 8pm on Mondays to Fridays, and from 9am to 6:30pm on Saturdays. This service doesn't run on Sundays. This route usually operates via [[Market Street tram stop|Market Street]]. Passengers can use the [[Altrincham]] to [[Manchester Piccadilly|Piccadilly]] service at other times, when that service is running, and change trams at [[Piccadilly Gardens tram stop|Piccadilly Gardens]] to continue towards [[Bury Interchange|Bury]].

At times with both a Bury and a Piccadilly service, stations between Altrincham and [[Old Trafford tram stop|Old Trafford]] are served every 6 minutes. <ref>
{{cite web
|url=https://tfgm.com/travel-updates/live-departures/tram/altrincham-tram
|title=Bee Network - Altrincham Tram Stop
|publisher=Bee Network
|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>

Altrincham is in Metrolink fare zone 4.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metrolink Fare Zone Map |url=https://tfgm.com/tickets-and-passes/fare-zones/tram |website=Bee Network |access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>

{{Adjacent stations|noclear=y
|system1=Manchester Metrolink
|line1=Altrincham – Bury|right1=Navigation Road
|line2=Altrincham – Piccadilly|right2=Navigation Road
|system3=National Rail
|note-row3=
{{rail line|previous=[[Hale railway station|Hale]]|next=[[Navigation Road railway station|Navigation Road]]|route=[[Northern Trains]]<br /><small>[[Mid-Cheshire Line]]</small> |col={{Northern colour}} }}
|header4=Historical railways
{{rail line |previous={{stnlnk|Hale}}<br /><small>Line and station open</small> |next={{stnlnk|Sale}}<br /><small>Line and station open</small> |route=[[Cheshire Lines Committee]]<br /><small>[[Mid-Cheshire Line]]</small> |col={{CLC colour}} }}
|header5=Disused railways
{{rail line|previous=[[Baguley railway station|Baguley]]|route=[[Cheshire Lines Committee]]<br /><small>[[Stockport, Timperley and Altrincham Junction Railway]]</small>|col={{CLC colour}} }}
}}

===Bus services===
Many local bus services operate from [[Altrincham]]. Most of these are [[Bee Network]] services, however, there are also external bus companies running services from Altrincham to outside of Greater Manchester. All Bee network currently cost £2 for a single / "hopper" ticket as of April 2025 and other services leaving Greater Manchester cost £3 for a single ticket, as of April 2025. <ref>Bee Network - Bus Tickets https://tfgm.com/tickets-and-passes/bus-tickets}}</ref>

Bee Network Services:
11  - Altrincham to Stockport (Stand B/C)
245 - Altrincham to Trafford Centre (Stand E)
247 - Altrincham to Trafford Centre (Stand C)
249 - Altrincham to Wythenshawe (Stand E)
263 - Altrincham to Manchester (Piccadilly Gardens) (Stand D)
279 - Altrincham to Lymm (Stand C)
280 - Altrincham to Dunham Woodhouses (Stand A)
281 - Altrincham to Sale (Manor Avenue) (Stand A)
282 - Altrincham to Oldfield Brow (Stand A)
283 - Altrincham / Hale Barns Circular (Stand A)
284 - Altrincham / Hale Barns Circular (Stand A)
285 - Altrincham / Timperley Circular (Stand A)
286 - Altrincham / Timperley Circular (Stand A)
287 - Altrincham to Bowdon Vale (Stand A)
288 - Altrincham to Manchester Airport (Stand B/C)
370 - Altrincham to Stockport (Stand B/C)
371 - Altrincham to Stockport (Stand B/C)<ref>Bee Network - Altrincham Interchange Buses https://tfgm.com/travel-updates/live-departures/bus/altrincham-interchange-bus}}</ref>

Other Services:
5   - Altrincham to Warrington (Warrington's Own Buses) (Stand B)<ref>Warrington's Own Buses - 5 https://www.warringtonsownbuses.co.uk/services/WBTR/5}}</ref>
88  - Altrincham to Knutsford (some services continue onto Macclesfield as the 87, with through tickets available) (D&G Bus) (Stand C)<ref>D&G Bus - 87/88 https://www.dgbus.co.uk/bus-services/87-88/88/}}</ref>

===Taxi services===
There is also a [[taxicab stand|taxi rank]], located on Stamford New Road.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/alt/details.html|title=Altrincham [ALT]|work=nationalrail.uk|access-date=11 December 2016}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
* {{Butt-Stations}}
* {{cite book|last=Dixon|first=Frank|title=The Manchester South Junction & Altrincham Railway|year=1994|publisher=Oakwood Press|location=Headington|isbn=0-85361-454-7}}
* {{Jowett-Nationalised}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|title=Chester Northgate to Manchester|first1=Vic|last1=Mitchell|first2=Keith|last2=Smith|at=figs. 77-85|publisher=Middleton Press|year=2013|isbn=9781908174512|oclc=892704846}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Altrincham Interchange}}
{{stn art lnk|ALT|}}
* [https://tfgm.com/public-transport/tram/stops/altrincham-tram Metrolink Times and Stop Information]
* [https://tfgm.com/public-transport/tram/stops/altrincham-tram/local-map Altrincham Metrolink area map]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231356/http://www.tfgm.com/buses/Documents/Departures/Altrincham.pdf Bus information] for Altrincham Interchange from [[Transport for Greater Manchester]]
* [http://www.midcheshirerail.org.uk  Mid-Cheshire Community Rail Partnership]
* [http://www.altrinchaminterchange.info Altrincham Interchange updates]

{{Greater Manchester bus stations}}
{{Greater Manchester main railway stations|state=collapsed}}
{{Greater Manchester Metrolink stations}}
{{Buildings and structures in Trafford Borough}}

[[Category:Railway stations in Trafford]]
[[Category:DfT Category C2 stations]]
[[Category:Tram stops in Trafford]]
[[Category:Former Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1881]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain closed in 1991]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1992]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Northern]]
[[Category:Bus stations in Greater Manchester]]
[[Category:Altrincham]]
[[Category:1881 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Tram stops on the Altrincham – Bury route]]
[[Category:Tram stops on the Altrincham – Piccadilly/Etihad Campus route]]