CONSTRUCTION work has started on a £60 million public transport interchange at Manchester Airport.

Contracts have been exchanged between the airport, Manchester City Council and Railtrack for the development, which centres on the existing rail station.

The interchange is expected to be first of its kind in the UK.

The massive project has been designed to create seamless travel into the heart of the airport by bus, rail, coach and a new arm of Metrolink.

It is being run by a partnership which involves Manchester Airport, the Strategic Rail Authority, Railtrack, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, the Office of Rail Regulator and train operator First North Western. Elements of the scheme -- chiefly the heavy rail investment and the new Metrolink line -- are likely to be the first projects to be completed as part of the new public/private partnership highlighted in the 10-year strategic plan published by the government.

Skanska -- formerly Kvaerner Construction -- completed the design phase of the new steel and glass complex and have been awarded the construction contract for the shell.

The main "hub" building features a new bus and coach station, satellite check-in areas, a six-storey office block and tunnel underneath the interchange concourse for the link through to Metrolink.

This part of the development also includes baggage handling areas, ticket information desks, retail/catering zones and a "skylink" to link the airport building and the new office block. The shell should be completed by summer 2002 and contracts for other elements of the scheme -- such as fitting out and retail/catering facilities -- will be let in the near future for overall completion in the summer of 2003.

Further work involving rail platform extensions, track-laying and bridge works will be later developments of the overall project.

Development

The airport has received £1.2 million grants for the interchange development from the European Union's Trans-European Network schemes programme -- a fund which promotes integrated transport projects.

Cllr Brian Harrison, the Manchester Airport chairman, said: "Securing commitment for this project -- especially given the recent difficulties within the rail industry -- is a real tribute to the parties who have worked hard to progress this vital development at Manchester Airport.

"It marks a new approach to partnership in the rail industry."

He added: "The airport has ambitious targets for 25 per cent of all journeys to and from the airport to be by public transport by the year 2005 and the interchange will be critical in helping us achieve this goal."

Mr Mike Grant, Chief Executive of the Strategic Rail Authority, said: "Manchester Airport is a focal point for services in the North-west and on our new Transpennine Express franchise.

"For the longer term, proposals are being developed for a future western rail link from North Wales and Chester."