The construction of new Metrolink lines to Oldham, Rochdale, Droylsden and Chorlton will be completed by spring 2011, it has been announced.

In a move that will almost double the existing light rail network, the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive has signed up M-Pact Thales to design, build and maintain the new lines.

M-Pact Thales has previously worked on the London Underground, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link at St Pancras and the Singapore Mass Transit System.

Bryan Diggins, M-Pact Thales project director, said: "Many of our employees live and work in the area and have already worked on projects to bring new schools, hospitals and transport facilities to the region.

"We also have people on board who were involved in building the first Metrolink lines, as well as tram systems in Croydon, Nottingham and Hong Kong."

There are also plans to extend the Metrolink line to Salford Quays' new mediacity development, which will soon be home to a number of BBC departments and other creative enterprises.

Further extensions to the Metrolink network are included within the city's Transport Innovation Fund bid, which has just been given the green light by the Department for Transport.