Mancs are being told to brace themselves for Metrolink disruption while “essential engineering works” are carried out on several lines.
Maintenance will be taking place over a number of weekends in late October and early November, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed – with works to renew points, and replace tracks and concrete kicking off this Sunday (22 October) at Cornbrook.
The works being carried out at Cornbrook are expected to have a knock-on affect, and impact services across the network.
Following that, track repair work will then also take place on the Bury and Rochdale lines over the weekend of Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 November, and during this time, TfGM has confirmed there will be no tram service between Bury and Whitefield, or Freehold and Rochdale Town Centre.
Replacement bus services will be laid on at all affected stops to ensure people are still able to make their journeys as usual on these dates.
⚠️ Work at Cornbrook tram stop on Sunday [22 October] will result in service changes across the network.
Your tram tickets and passes will be accepted on replacement buses. Make sure you touch in or buy a ticket before boarding.
TfGM has apologised for “any inconvenience” that may be caused to travellers.
Speaking ahead of the essential engineering works beginning this weekend, Danny Vaughan, who is the Head of Metrolink at TfGM, said: “We are very sorry for any inconvenience these essential works may cause people to people travelling on these dates, however, it’s important we maintain and improve the network so it continues to provide a reliable and safe service to all our customers.
“We have a comprehensive replacement bus service across all affected dates, so people can still get to and from their intended destinations.
“I’d encourage passengers to monitor our website and social media channels for the latest information and advice.”
Metrolink disruption is expected this weekend due to ‘essential engineering works’ / Credit: Matthew Cassidy (via Unsplash)
Mr Vaughn insists these engineering works have been scheduled to “minimise disruption during the week”, and adds that TfGM will be doing “everything we can” to make journeys as easy as possible for passengers.
These essential engineering works over the next couple of weekends are parter of what TfGM has called a “comprehensive” programme of renewals and enhancements in order to “maintain and improve” the tram network heading into festive season – which is, of course, always one of the busiest times of the year for travel.
For all the full details of Metrolink works and bus replacement services, you’ll want to head on over to the TfGM website here.
Featured Image – Mangopear Creative (via Unsplash)
News
Body found in search for missing man Craig Foy after police scour Heaton Park
Daisy Jackson
A body has been discovered in the search for missing Bury man Craig Foy.
Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team had been carrying out an extensive search for Craig, 40, after he disappeared on Saturday 26 July.
Those searches had included the Heaton Park area, after CCTV appeared to show the Whitefield man climbing into the park just before midnight.
Officers have now confirmed that a body has been found in connection with the investigation.
While formal identification is yet to take place, it’s believed to be that of Craig.
Craig’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
Earlier in the week, GMP said that three men were arrested on suspicion of murder, with one suspect since released on bail and two others facing no further action.
Detective Chief Inspector Jill Billington, from GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said: “The investigation remains ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to Craig’s death, and to ensure that we can get the answers that his family deserve.
“We appreciate the support of the public in sharing our appeals to locate Craig and ask for his family to be given privacy, space and time to process their loss.”
Police are still appealing for information relating to the investigation – you can contact GMP on 101 quoting log number 917-28/7/25 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
New data reveals a third of Brits admit to secretly sneaking off work early on a Friday
Emily Sergeant
Surprising new data has revealed that a third of Brits admits to secretly sneaking off work early on a Friday.
After a long and tiring week, most of us would love the chance to clock off work a little earlier than usual on a Friday, but for a lot of workers, this isn’t always a possibility – and for some, they even have to work longer at the end of the week to make sure everything has been finished off and tied up before the weekend arrives.
But since there has been a noticeable rise in remote working and working from home, a new survey has revealed that working attitudes have changed.
Virgin Media has released new broadband data that reveals a drop in traffic on Friday afternoons during the summer months – with as much as an 8% dip between 3-5pm compared to the winter, as remote workers clock off early.
A third of Brits admit to secretly sneaking off work early on a Friday / Credit: Glenn Carstens-Peters | Robin Worrall (via Unsplash)
The Friday traffic drop-off comes from Virgin Media’s broadband network analysis, which it says is a ‘reliable indicator’ of the connectivity habits of the British public.
Alongside the network data, Virgin Media also asked Brits about their work policies and working habits ij a bid to fully understand the trend.
Nearly a third (30%) of Brits say they have a formal early Friday finish in place during the summer, but despite almost half of UK adults (48%) saying they’re not authorised to finish early on a Friday, 32% have admitted to regularly logging off with or without official permission.
Surprising new data has revealed Brits’ working habits / Credit: Chuttersnap (via Unsplash)
Many Brits have also confessed to working ‘on the move’ on a Friday afternoon too.
15% admitted to having worked from the train station as the weekend creeps nearer, as well as 14% from the park, 10% from the pub, and many as 30% of 18-24-year-olds worked from the car while travelling for the weekend.
“Our network traffic analysis is revealing changing workplace habits in real time as the nation takes advantage of long summer Fridays,” commented Jeanie York, who is the Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2.
“We’re continuing to boost our fixed and mobile networks so whether Brits are working from their local park, or finishing their work at home, we’re ready to keep them connected.”
Emily Sergeant -
20th October 2023 
