TheM-Pact Thales consortium will design and construct the extension to the intu Trafford Centre via Trafford Park, while WSP will continue as TfGM’s delivery partner.

The scheme is the first major project to benefit from the GM Devolution Deal, signed in November 2014.

The £350m funding for the scheme comes from the ‘Earn Back’ deal that was a key component of the Devolution Agreement and a £20m contribution from Trafford Council.

The contract was procured as a variation to the one that has already seen MPT deliver extensions to MediaCityUK, Ashton, East Didsbury, Oldham and Rochdale, Manchester Airport and the Second City Crossing.

Advanced utility works are now underway along the line of the route, which will run concurrently with other enabling works.

Chair of the TfGM Committee, Cllr Andrew Fender, said: “It makes absolute sense to continue the award-winning partnership with MPT and WSP to deliver the next exciting chapter in the Metrolink story.

Bryan Glass, MPT Director, said: “The Laing O’Rourke, VolkerRail and Thales MPT consortium has successfully delivered three main contract extensions for Manchester Metrolink.

“We are therefore delighted to continue as a trusted partner to TfGM delivering the latest phase of the Metrolink’s growth taking the line through Trafford Park to the Trafford Centre.”

The new 3.4-mile Trafford Park line, which will increase the size of the Metrolink network to more than 64 miles served by 99 stops, will branch off from the existing Pomona stop and call at six new tram stops.

These include stations at Wharfside, near to Old Trafford football stadium, the Imperial War Museum, key business areas through Europe’s largest industrial estate and to visitor destinations such as Eventcity and the intu Trafford Centre.

Work on the new Metrolink line is due to be completed by the end of 2020.