PLANS for a new £350 million tram line through Trafford Park were given the green light today.

Trafford's council chiefs are celebrating after Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport, granted legal powers to allow Greater Manchester transport bosses to build the new 3.4mile line.

Work could start on the line this winter – and be operational by 2020/2021.

Transport for Greater Manchester, which owns the Metrolink network, has developed plans for the Trafford Park line and will shortly appoint a contractor.

Trafford Park is the largest major employment zone in Greater Manchester outside the city centre and is home to over 1,300 businesses and more than 33,000 jobs – with employees travelling from across Greater Manchester and further afield.

The new Trafford Park line, which will increase the size of the Metrolink network to more than 66 miles served by 99 stops, will branch off from the existing Pomona stop and call at six new tram stops, including Wharfside, near to Old Trafford football stadium, the Imperial War Museum, key business areas through the industrial park and visitor destinations such as Eventcity and the intu Trafford Centre.

The majority of the new route is not on roads to ensure faster, more reliable journey times.

The £350 million funding package to build the line has already been secured by Greater Manchester Combined Authority through the 'earn back' funding arrangement as part of the Greater Manchester devolution deal.

TfGM consulted on plans for the new Trafford Park line during a 12-week public consultation in summer 2014, with 89 per cent of comments in favour. An independent inspector presided over a public inquiry into the proposals in 2015.

Trafford council leader. Cllr Sean Anstee, said: “An extension to the Metrolink is superb news, it fits in with the plans we have for the borough in relation to investment from business and the work and skills agenda by increasing employment opportunities. "Excellent transport links will be vital in ensuring Trafford remains a place that welcomes business as well as encouraging residents to use public transport which eases congestion and protects the environment.”

Trafford Council chief executive, Theresa Grant, said: “This is great news for Trafford. For the borough to continue to grow and provide opportunities for education and jobs for our residents we need investment and having excellent transport links makes the borough even more attractive to those who want to live, visit or invest in the area.

“With the investment the council has undertaken with our partners in our town centres and with great sporting attractions that will benefit from the new links, we are seeing Trafford become a place to invest in now and in the future, investment that will benefit us all.”

The Trafford Park line will pass under the Trafford Road Bridge and run alongside the existing promenade next to Manchester Ship Canal before joining Trafford Wharf Road.

The route will turn left onto Warren Bruce Road and then bear to the right onto Village Way up to Parkway. It then crosses over the Bridgewater Ship Canal before turning right onto Barton Dock Road, terminating outside the intu Trafford Centre.

Services will call at six stops: Wharfside, Imperial War Museum, Village, Parkway, EventCity and Trafford Centre.