Eccles tram line is set to close a number of times this year to allow for essential maintenance work to be carried out.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed this week that after 22 years of operation, the Metrolink Eccles line – which was originally opened in 1999, and has supported millions of journeys since – is set to close “on several occasions” this year for essential maintenance of the tracks.
A full closure of the line will take place for eight days over the February half term, between the 19 and 27 February, and further partial closures of the line are planned for the Easter and summer school holidays.
TfGM says all closure times have been chosen in order to “minimise disruption to passengers”.
Passengers will be able to visit a dedicated travel advice page to find information on alternative travel options to help plan their journey in advance, and Metrolink staff will also be around at key locations at busier times assist people in any way needed.
Passengers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.
From 19 Feb to 27 Feb, the Eccles line will be closed due to essential maintenance work.
Staff will be in key locations to help passengers out, and alternative transport options will be in place.
For more info please click the link below 👇
— Transport for Greater Manchester 🚲🚶🏾♀️ (@OfficialTfGM) February 10, 2022
Speaking ahead of the line closures this year, Danny Vaughan – Head of Metrolink at TfGM – said: “In the past 10 years alone, the Eccles line has supported 40 million journeys, providing a real alternative to using the car, helping people get around the region, reducing congestion and helping to cut air pollution.
“The Eccles Line, and the MediaCity spur, which was opened in 2010, have supported the local economy and been instrumental in the regeneration of the Quays area [so] it’s therefore very important that we do these works now in order to help the area continue to grow and prosper.
“We know it’s going to cause some inconvenience for passengers so we are limiting the work to less busy times.
“Many passengers will be able to catch trams on the Trafford Park Line, and we will provide good alternatives to those who can’t.”
More details are available on the TfGM website here.
Bob Vylan dropped from Manchester music festival following Glastonbury controversy
Danny Jones
English punk rap duo Bob Vylan have been dropped from an upcoming music festival in Manchester following the recent controversy surrounding their set at Glastonbury 2025.
The media storm surrounding their much-talked-about and heavily televised Glasto appearance has seen them reportedly dropped by their agency and their US Visas cancelled, along with multiple concerts – one of those being right here in Greater Manchester.
Bob Vylan were scheduled to play RADAR Fest at Victoria Warehouse in Stretford this weekend, but now the organisers have informed gig-goers that the artists will not be performing in their planned slot on Saturday.
The alternative music event did provide any additional details, posting nothing but this image:
For anyone unaware, Vylan were heavily criticised for the pro-Palestine chants, which Glastonbury itself has deemed as having “crossed a line”, labelling the chants against the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as antisemitic.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also commented on the situation.
In addition to RADAR, Vylan were also due to appear at Kave Fest in France the following Sunday, 6 July, but the music event has also decided not to host them.
The BBC also opted not to broadcast Northern Irish band Kneecap as part of their coverage this year, as the Belfast rap trio have also been outspoken on the issue, among many other musicians of late.
Responding to the decision on social media not long after the news broke, the act simply shared the post on their Instagram story along with the caption: “Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting. Manchester, we will be back.”
Trafford Centre launches school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families
Emily Sergeant
A school uniform drive has been launched at the Trafford Centre to support local families ahead of the new school year.
With schools across Greater Manchester soon set to be out for the summer holidays, many parents, guardians, and carers in the region may be looking ahead to the new school year in September, concerned about how they may be able to provide their children with the necessary uniform items needed.
According to a 2020 survey by The Children’s Society, 23% of parents reported that the cost of school uniforms led to their children wearing ‘ill-fitting, unclean, or incorrect’ items.
It’s these statistic that highlight the ongoing pressure faced by families.
This is why the Trafford Centre has partnered with both Manchester South Central Foodbank and local charity, Bridging the Gap, to launch a school uniform donation drive aimed at supporting more than 700 children across Manchester this summer.
The Trafford Centre launches a school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families / Credit: Trafford Centre
From now up until the 15 August, anyone heading to the region’s largest shopping centre is encouraged to donate new or pre-loved school uniforms.
“The cost of living crisis has deeply impacted our community, with more and more families unable to afford the essentials,” commented Emily Jeremy, who is the Assistant Project Manager at Manchester South Central Foodbank.
“As an anti-poverty charity, we recognised the need for school uniform support years ago. Though costs vary between schools, a full set of branded secondary school uniform can total around £150, which is a significant burden for many households.”
All items can be donated at the shopping centre’s Guest Services point / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography | Trafford Centre (Supplied)
Simon Layton, Centre Director at the Trafford Centre, added: “We’re proud to be working alongside Bridging the Gap and Manchester South Central Foodbank to support local families during these challenging times.
“School uniforms shouldn’t be a barrier to education, and we hope this initiative will ease some of the pressure many parents face as the new school year approaches.”
The school uniform donation drive is running up until 15 August.
All items can be taken to the Trafford Centre’s Guest Services Lounge, which is located on Lower Regent Crescent next to M&S, and they must be clean and free from stains or damage.
Emily Sergeant -
11th February 2022 
