The the £85m Ordsall Chord proposals, which forms part of Network Rail’s £560m plan to improve railways across the north, will be showcased in a series of exhibitions across Manchester and Salford.
The new piece of track will help make rail travel across the region faster and more frequent, and could also help to boost the economy by £4.2bn and create 20,000 – 30,000 extra jobs throughout the area.
Located to the north west of Castlefield Junction, and crossing the River Irwell between Salford and Manchester, the new chord will free up space on the network for faster, more frequent services.
Jo Kaye, Network Rail route managing director said: “The Ordsall Chord is the first part of our wider plan to bring a better railway to the north of England.
“Our proposals will help the economy, making it easier for people to travel between the towns and cities of the North as a result of greatly improved connections across the region. We are keen to talk to people about the progress we have made on the scheme and are looking forward to hearing their views.”
Network Rail hopes the scheme will be approved by the Planning Inspectorate in the autumn of 2014.