The Metrolink tram network is facing disruption tonight, with the Bury line – which happens to run past Parklife festival – completely suspended.
Transport for Greater Manchester announced that there had been severe damage to an overhead line at Victoria station.
It means that no tram services will be operating from Heaton Park or Bowker Vale, which service the massive Parklife festival.
Instead, gig-goers are being advised to use the dedicated shuttle buses – or to brave the walk back to the city centre.
And while tickets are being accepted on local bus services while the trams are down, it’s a Sunday service with only limited buses available.
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It’s expected that the Bury line will remain shut down until the end of service on Sunday 11 June and may still be down into tomorrow morning.
Repairs are being undertaken throughout tonight and into tomorrow morning.
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Other services are being impacted by the overhead line damage, including the Oldham and Rochdale line which is part-suspended, and other services which are delayed and being re-routed.
Metrolink trams at Manchester Victoria. Credit: TfGM
Parklife shuttle bus services will run into the evening as required to replace trams, with extra staff on hand.
Services from Soccer Aid at Old Trafford are also affected, with passengers advised to change at Cornbrook for journeys onwards.
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TfGM’s Interim Chief Operating Officer, Alex Cropper, said: “We apologise for the disruption to Metrolink services this evening and in particular, to those passengers attending Parklife and Soccer Aid who are affected. We are working hard to resolve the issues as quickly as possible and to minimise disruption to passengers.
“Additional staff will be on hand to support passengers across the network. Passengers are advised to check TfGM’s website for the latest travel updates for Sunday evening and Monday morning.”
Metrolink tweeted: “The Bury line remains completely suspended and is expected to remain suspended until the end of service on Sunday 11 June.
⚠️ The Bury line remains completely suspended and is expected to remain suspended until the end of service on Sunday 11 June.
⛏️ Repairs will take place through tonight and into tomorrow morning.
— Manchester Metrolink 🚊 (@MCRMetrolink) June 11, 2023
“Repairs will take place through tonight and into tomorrow morning.
“No tram services will operate from Heaton Park or Bowker Vale stops this evening after @Parklifefest. For return journeys back to the city centre, please walk or use the shuttle bus service. The bus station is located inside the park, accessed via the North Gate exit.
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“Bus ticket acceptance is in place on the Bury and Rochdale lines this evening.
“However as it is a Sunday night there are a limited number of services operating.”
Tram lines impacted over Parklife weekend
Oldham/Rochdale line is currently suspended between the city centre and Newton Heath and Moston.
East Didsbury line will operate to Exchange Square.
Eccles line will operate to Ashton.
Manchester Airport line will operate to Cornbrook.
Ashton line is experiencing delays.
Altrincham line is experiencing delays.
Bus services accepted trams and travel passes
Tickets and passes can be used on the 17, 18, 41, 52, 53, 56, 66, 90, 95, 97, 98, 112, 117, 118, 119, 135, 156, 163, 524 bus services for the Bury line.
Tickets and passes can be used on the 57, 59, 76, 76a, 81, 83, 114, 149, 181, 182, 409, 411, 415, 471 bus services for the Rochdale line.
Tickets and passes can be used on the 7, 76, 76a 171, 172, 216, 219, 230, 231 bus services for the Ashton line.
Featured image: TfGM
News
Six GMP officers dismissed following racial discrimination allegations
Emily Sergeant
A number of police officers have been dismissed following an internal investigation, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed.
Following the internal investigation into alleged racial discrimination against an officer on the Bury district – which was launched by GMP‘s Professional Standards Directorate in July 2024 – six officers and two former officers were found to have committed gross misconduct, and a ninth officer was found to have committed misconduct.
The investigation came after a report was made that an officer had been subjected to ‘racist behaviour’ by colleagues in December 2023.
The panel heard how PC Y – who has African heritage and has been granted anonymity – made a complaint after her accent was mimicked by a group of officers. She was also compared to a suspect with similar skin colour, and one of the dismissed PCs made a derogatory comment about her hair.
PC Y was supported and kept updated throughout the investigation, GMP assured, as well as providing evidence at the hearing.
The misconduct hearing lasted just over two weeks, with the panel concluding that the officers breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Equality and Diversity, Authority, Respect, and Courtesy.
The six officers who have been dismissed are PC Demi Green, PC Heena Rani, PC Lucy Granby, PC Matthew Barlow, PC Matthew Hill, and PC Mohammed Abid, while the former officers who were found to have committed gross misconduct are PC Jake Holt, and former Officer A – who has been granted anonymity.
The panel also found that Sergeant Adrian Bick’s actions amounted to misconduct, as there was no breach of the standard of equality and diversity.
As a result, the six serving officers have been sacked without notice, while the two former officers would have been dismissed had they not already left the force, and Sergeant Bick was issued a written warning.
“No officer or member of staff should have to come to work and experience discriminatory behaviour from the people they serve alongside,” declared Deputy Chief Constable, Terry Woods.
“Everyone has the right to feel respected, valued and part of the same team with a shared commitment to serving our communities and keeping people safe.”
‘There must be a way’ – Andy Burnham vows to save Jodrell Bank after funding cuts
Emily Sergeant
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to save the UK’s largest telescope at Jodrell Bank.
In case you hadn’t heard, back in July, theUK Research and Innovation (UKRI) announced that the Jodrell Bank Observatory – which is home to the Lovell Telescope – will not be prioritised for further funding after its current agreement ends in March 2028, despite the telescope standing in its Cheshire home since 1957.
The UKRI said the decision not to continue funding priority was ‘the result of a comprehensive, evidence-based prioritisation process’.
Since the news broke, however, it has been a topic of national uproar and discussion as to how to ensure its legacy lives on.
A proud part of the University of Manchester (UoM), Jodrell Bank had a pioneering role in the development of radio astronomy, and has evidence from its emergence as a new science in the 1940s through to the present day, making it an outstanding part of scientific heritage.
The Prime Minister was pressed to address concerns surrounding the future of the site by Sarah Russell, Labour MP for Congleton, in the House of Commons yesterday (1 September 2026).
Mr Burnham replied: “Every one of my generation went on a school trip to Jodrell Bank, and there is no way that we can see its demise – it won’t happen under my Government.
“I know there’s changes that have been made in relation to research funding, but Jodrell Bank is a heritage asset for the country, as well as a research asset.
Daisy Jackson -
11th June 2023 
