Temporary changes are being introduced to some Metrolink services after planned engineering works in Manchester city centre have been delayed.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced that planned work to replace a damaged rail in Piccadilly Gardens that was originally set to start next week to “ensure the continued safe running of services across the network” has now been delayed until the end of November due to issues with the rail supplier.
Several precautionary route changes will now be introduced from Monday 24 October, TfGM confirmed.
Repair works come after a “minor derailment” of a tram in the Piccadilly Gardens area caused significant disruption across the city centre late last month.
TfGM has assured that passengers on all lines will still be able to get into the city centre, and there are alternative travel options for those wanting to make cross-city journeys on affected routes – including other tram services, bus replacements, or walking routes.
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People are being advised to plan ahead and allow extra time when making connecting journeys, and TfGM says that Metrolink staff will be at all affected stops to help customers out.
What routes are set to be affected then?
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Bury and Altrincham services will not operate into Piccadilly Station, and will instead operate from Bury to Altrincham via Market Street at a six-minute frequency from 7am to 8pm on Monday to Friday, and 9am to 6.30pm on Saturdays.
Outside of these times, services will operate every 12 minutes.
Ashton services will operate to Crumpsall via Victoria Station at a 12-minute frequency at all times, and passengers on the Bury and Altrincham lines will be able to connect to this service to travel to Piccadilly Station.
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Eccles services will operate to Deansgate-Castlefield, also at a 12-minute frequency at all times, and as there will be no direct connection between Piccadilly Station and Deansgate-Castlefield, a Metrolink replacement bus service will operate.
Rail services between Piccadilly Station and Deansgate-Castlefield stations can also be used for this connection.
Speaking ahead of the planned engineering works, Danny Vaughan – Head of Metrolink at 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.”
For more information on the temporary service changes, including information on walking routes between affected stops, head over to TfGM’s website here.
Featured Image – TfGM
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Council calls on public to suggest names for new public square in Stretford
Emily Sergeant
The Greater Manchester public is being called on to help name a brand-new public square in the heart of Stretford.
Could we have another ‘Boaty McBoatface’ on our hands? As far as public naming competitions go, the comical suggestion for the name of a new RMS ship back in 2016 – which was then given to a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) instead – will probably always lead the way as the most well-known entrant.
But now, it’s Greater Manchester‘s turn to give it a go and get creative with their naming suggestions, as Trafford Council inviting the local community to name a brand-new public square that’s set to open in the heart of Stretford next year.
Connecting the newly restored King Street and Pinnington Lane, Trafford Council says the new public square will play “a key part in the transformation of the area” and be a “focal point” for the area – with lots of greenery, seating areas, and spaces to “meet, rest and play” and host events too.
Residents are being encouraged to “put their imprint on the Square” by putting forward their suggestions for its name.
All the entries will be condensed into a shortlist and the public will then vote on their favourite.
With the naming competition fully underway, Trafford residents now have the opportunity to talk to the Stretford town centre team, get creative, and post entries into the voting box that’ll be in place in Stretford Mall up until Sunday 19 May, as well as submit their ideas via the Stretford town centre website.
To come up with their names suggestions, the Council wants residents to take inspiration from these three themes:
Heritage – celebrating the fascinating history embedded into Stretford’s identity
Culture – showcasing the rich and vibrant cultural tapestry that defines the essence of the town and its residents
Community – reflecting the strong sense of unity among Stretford’s residents, making the town a welcoming place to live, work, and socialise.
After submissions are closed, the Stretford town centre forum will then decide on three entries that “best represent the area” and have made best use of the inspiration topics to go to the public vote for the final decision.
A town centre polling station will be open for residents to cast their votes in person, or they can do so online via both a Google form or a range of social media polls.
The public vote will officially close on Sunday 16 June, and the unveiling ceremony will take place at The StretFest on Saturday 6 July, where the winner and name of the new public square will be announced.
Fancy shooting a suggestion then? Find out more on the Stretford Town Centre website here.
Featured Image – STC / Bruntwood
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Manchester-born Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79
Danny Jones
Manchester actor, best known for roles in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Shirley Valentine and more, has sadly died at the age of 79.
Born in Blackley near the River Irk, historically part of Lancashire, the familiar British face who often popped up in Hollywood too famously played Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the original trilogy of fantasy films as well as Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.
His death was announced by his agent Lou Coulson via the BBC, who confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A statement from his family is expected soon and tributes are already pouring in online.
Hill studied at what is now the Manchester School of Theatre, formerly known as the Polytechnic School of Theatre and also went on to appear in the much-loved BBC drama by Alan Bleasdale, Boys from the Blackstuff, back in 1982.
Playing the character of Yosser Hughes – best-known for the line “gizza a job” – the show went on to be awarded a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and was ranked as the seventh best TV show ever made on a 2000 round-up by the British Film Institute
He was also due for a big return to TV screens in series two of another BBC hit, The Responder starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing at 9pm this Sunday.