Manchester Metrolink: changes to tram services due to engineering work delays - when & where disruption is

Passengers on the Metrolink tram system are facing some changes to the usual services after engineering work in Manchester city centre was delayed.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said work had been due to start in late October to replace a damaged rail in Piccadilly Gardens. However, due to issues with the rail supplier, this has now been pushed back until the end of November.

That means there are some disruption to services, although transport bosses have stressed that customers using all the Metrolink lines are still able to get into the city centre. There are also alternative routes set out for people crossing Greater Manchester on the trams, whether that involves other trams, replacement buses or walking for part of the journey.

Here’s the full list of exactly where and how tram services are being affected and what passengers should do if their usual route is affected.

Which lines will be disrupted and where?

TfGM said there are a number of temporary route alterations in operation from Monday 24 October. Bury and Altrincham line services are not operating into Piccadilly Station, with trams instead running via Market Street. These are every six minutes from 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6.30pm on Saturdays. Outside of these times, services are operating every 12 minutes.

Ashton services are operating to Crumpsall via Victoria Station. These run every 12 minutes. Passengers on the Bury and Altrincham lines can connect to this service to travel to Piccadilly Station.

Eccles services are operating to Deansgate-Castlefield, also running every 12 minutes. As there is not a direct connection between Piccadilly Station and Deansgate-Castlefield, a replacement bus service is operating to cover this part of passengers’ journeys. Rail services between Piccadilly Station and Deansgate-Castlefield stations can also be used for this connection.

There is a dedicated page on the TfGM website which travellers can visit to find out more. TfGM said staff are also on hand at all the affected stations to help advise people. Nevertheless, transport bosses also encouraged anyone travelling on the routes affected to check their journeys before setting off and allow extra time.

What has TfGM said about the service changes?

Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s head of Metrolink, said: “These are unforeseen circumstances which are outside of our control, and I want to apologise for any inconvenience this causes to our customers. We will be doing everything we can to minimise disruptions to journeys and staff will be available at all affected stops to provide travel advice.”