No trams will run between Piccadilly and Piccadilly Gardens between 22 June and 9 July due to essential track replacement work taking place. London Road will also be closed southbound between Store Street and Fairfield Street.
The works are part of a major coordinated programme taking place this summer to maintain and improve the Metrolink system to ensure tram journeys in Greater Manchester remain safe, reliable and accessible.
A bus replacement service will operate between Piccadilly and Piccadilly Gardens. A signed walking route, taking around five minutes, will also be put in place between the two stops.
Trams on the Ashton line will operate between Ashton and Piccadilly station. Passengers wanting to make an onward journey will need to walk or use the bus replacement service to Piccadilly Gardens
London Road will be closed to traffic leaving the city centre where the Metrolink tracks cross the street close to Piccadilly station. Increased traffic is anticipated on Fairfield Street, Store Street, Princess Street, Newton Street and the inner ring road.
A signed diversion will be in place for all traffic heading away from the city centre via Portland Street and Princess Street with an alternative diversion via Store Street.
To mitigate the impact on some of Greater Manchester’s busiest and most frequent bus services, buses that normally use London Road to leave the city centre will be routed to avoid congestion hotspots via Chorlton Street and Fairfield Street.
There will be plenty of signage on affected bus stops to direct customers to alternatives. During the first few days of the closure, staff will also be on hand to give customers help and advice.
Cyclists will also be required to follow the signed diversion route or dismount and follow pedestrian routes.
The full list of summer works – including single days closures of the Altrincham line on Sunday, 30 June and Sunday 14 July – is available on the Bee Network website
Pete Sommers, TfGM’s Metrolink director, said: “Thousands of journeys are made on Metrolink every day of the week, which is why we’re always working to keep our passengers safe and Greater Manchester moving.
“During these essential works, we will be doing everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum with replacement bus services and signed diversions for vehicles and pedestrians.
“Our control centre has good CCTV coverage at both the London Road closure points and on the diversion routes – and we also have support from our traffic signals team to ensure city centre traffic flows as freely as possible.
“I would encourage customers to plan ahead – check our website for the latest travel information before setting off – and leave plenty of time for their journeys. ”
Image credit: TfGM
