Essential work to install new tram tracks in Manchester city centre has been successfully completed on time as part of a planned £147m package to maintain, upgrade and improve the Metrolink network up to 2027.
Tram services have now resumed their normal service pattern following completion of the work over 30 days between Market Street and Hight Street/Church Street. Work has also been successfully completed this year at York Street in Manchester city centre, as well as between Eccles and MediaCityUK.
The rolling programme of improvements – funded from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement – will ensure the network keeps on delivering safe, reliable and accessible services for millions more people into the future.
The next essential track upgrades will take place on the Rochdale tram line over the early spring bank holiday weekend, with further track works planned for various city centre locations later in the year, including at Portland Street, Aytoun Street and Piccadilly Gardens.
Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “We know how important our trams are to so many people, and that is why we are investing heavily in upgrading the network.
“We have already successfully delivered a number of big projects this year that will keep services safe, reliable and accessible for all who use them.
“Our next phase of works will take place on the Rochdale line over the bank holiday weekend. As always, we are doing our best to minimise disruption by laying on replacement bus services and I’d like to thank our passengers for bearing with us while we continue to upgrade the network.”
The work on the Rochdale line will be carried out between Westwood and Derker between Saturday 3 and Monday 5 May.
Trams will still operate between the city centre and Freehold, while a replacement bus service will call at all stops between Freehold and Rochdale Town Centre.
Passengers may also choose to use existing Bee Network bus services that call near each tram stop, depending on their destination.
Tram tickets will only be accepted on the replacement bus and not on numbered bus services.
There will be further track replacement work on the Rochdale line between Oldham Mumps and Derker on Sunday, 18 May, with a replacement bus service in operation.
Last year, more than £20m was invested in tram improvement works across Greater Manchester, including at Piccadilly Gardens, London Road and Market Street, with all projects delivered on time and on budget.
Further information on upcoming engineering works can be found on the Bee Network website and app.
Image credit: Transport for Greater Manchester
