Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has voiced concerns about plans for a new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) near Warrington, as part of the Old Trafford redevelopment proposals.
As reported by World Cargo News, Burnham has questioned the size and negative impact of the proposed development and transport changes.
Manchester mayor questions plans to clear terminal near Old Trafford
According to World Cargo News, Andy Burnham has voiced serious concerns around proposed plans to open a new intermodel rail terminal between Manchester and Liverpool.
The switch was proposed as part of the plans to redevelop Old Trafford, with the widely-held belief in the rail freight sector that additions to Manchester United's home may displace the current Trafford Park terminal.
The Trafford Park Terminal is identified as one of the United Kingdom's most constrained but strategically important intermodel sites, leading reports to suggest that a new site could effectively relocate the operations out of central Manchester, potentially improving efficiency.
Burnham, himself, has been a leading supporter of the “Wembley of the North” vision, encouraging revamps and rebuilding to Old Trafford, however he has highlighted issues surrounding the move to a new site out of the city centre.
Indeed, concerns focus around the scale of the proposed development, including attached warehouse space, and its proximity to residential communities, stating that early evidence provided during consultation was “highly unsatisfactory”.
When could Old Trafford redevelopment begin?
After several years of new stadium and redevelopment proposals around Old Trafford, spearheaded by INEOS, Manchester United considered redesigns of initial plans throughout 2025.
November saw a major boost for the Red Devils, as mayor Burnham gave a regeneration project his backing by including it in his wider Greater Manchester Growth Plan.
He labelled the project as the United Kingdom's biggest sports scheme since the 2012 Olympics in London and prioritised such plans in his strategy over the next 10 years to improve the region's economy.
Issues with the local freightliner, leading to anticipations of the relocation of Trafford Park Terminal, arose when plans were released for a new stadium, including a large canopy which would require the Red Devils to purchase significant amounts of land from the freight company.
It is believed that plans for the canopy have subsequently been axed, with different options still going through the planning stages as a result.
In December, Manchester United's Chief Operating Officer Colette Roache reaffirmed the club's commitment to a redeveloped or new stadium but acknowledged that major preparatory work is still required, with no start date currently in sight.
FGG says: Continued complications in Manchester United's plans
INEOS' continued commitment to improving Manchester United's home is certainly encouraging, the process has consistently been met with concerns thus far.
That is not unusual for reconstruction plans on such a scale, but the relocation of vital terminals and such issues are crucial.
Any plans which clearly cause issues, such as those for communities around the proposed new site, will only create further conflicts and delays, halting the Red Devils' progress off the pitch.