No trams will run between two key Manchester city centre stops this summer while “essential” track replacement work is carried out.
In what is another part of Transport for Greater Manchester‘s (TfGM) ongoing programme of works intended to “maintain and improve” the Metrolink system and ensure tram journeys in Greater Manchester remain “safe, reliable, and accessible”, it’s been confirmed that trams will not be run between Piccadilly and Piccadilly Gardens for a total of 17 days.
Beginning from this Saturday (22 June), a replacement service will instead operate between the two stops up until Tuesday 9 July.
A signposted walking route will also be put in place, taking pedestrians about five minutes.
Trams on the Ashton line will operate between Ashton and Piccadilly station, and then any passengers wanting to make an onward journey will need to walk or use the bus replacement service to get themselves over to Piccadilly Gardens.
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From Saturday 22 June, until 9 July, no trams will run between Piccadilly and Piccadilly Gardens
This is due to works on London Road.
Customers on the Ashton, Altrincham and Bury lines, check if your journey will be affected.
On top of this, London Road will also be closed to traffic leaving the city centre where the Metrolink tracks cross the street close to Piccadilly station, and although a signed diversion will be in place for all traffic heading away from the city centre, via Portland Street and Princess Street, with an alternative diversion via Store Street, TfGM say people should expect there to be “increased traffic”.
A higher volume of traffic is anticipated on Fairfield Street, Store Street, Princess Street, Newton Street, and on the inner ring road, while the works are carried out.
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In a bid to mitigate the impact on some of the region’s busiest and most-frequent bus services during the 17-days of track replacement works, TfGM has confirmed that the buses that normally use London Road to leave the city centre will, instead, be re-routed.
They’ll be re-routed via Chorlton Street and Fairfield Street to “avoid congestion hotspots”.
‘Essential’ track replacement work means no trams will run between two key Manchester stops / Credit: TfGM
Pete Sommers, who is TfGM’s Metrolink Director, is encouraging anyone travelling to “plan ahead” and “leave plenty of time” for any journeys.
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“During these essential works, we will be doing everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum with replacement bus services and signed diversions for vehicles and pedestrians,” Mr Sommers continued.
“We also have support from our traffic signals team to ensure city centre traffic flows as freely as possible.”
Find out more about the planned tram improvement works on the TfGM website here.
Featured Image – TfGM
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Phil Foden flying home from Euro 2024 for ‘birth of third child’
Danny Jones
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Phil Foden has reportedly left the England camp and is said to be flying home to England temporarily from Euro 2024 for the birth of his third child.
The Manchester City and Three Lions star is thought to have already left the national team camp on Wednesday, 26 June following England’s 0-0 draw against Slovenia which saw top Group C.
It has now been clarified that his long-term partner Rebecca Cooke has given birth to their third child, according to the BBC. A dad’s got to have priorities.
The attacking midfielder has played as a left-sided forward in all of England‘s group fixtures thus far and looked to have had his brightest performance yet on Tuesday night.
The 24-year-old, who won Premier League Player of the Season for 23/24, looked to be struggling in the opening two games but nearly grabbed an assist in the final group fixture only for the move to be ultimately ruled out for offside.
It remains unclear how long Foden will be away from the rest of his England teammates but we’re just glad to hear it’s good news. Congratulations, Phil!
The couple have two children: two-year-old daughter True and first-born son Ronnie, five, who oddly went viral in South America last year and is already a bit of a footballing star himself.
With Gareth Southgate‘s side still yet to find any real momentum in the tournament, the squad, pundits and fans alike will still be hoping he can return as soon as possible if they are to gain the kind of attacking rhythm they are crying out for ahead of the knockouts.
England play their round of 16 match in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday at 5pm (GMT), though their opponents will only be confirmed following Wednesday’s final group games.
But for now, congrats again to the young couple – we wish them all the best as they welcome a new life into the world and look forward to seeing the local lad back on the pitch when he’s ready.
FA confirm date and kick-off time for 2024 Manchester derby Community Shield
Danny Jones
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The FA has finally confirmed the date and scheduled kick-off time for the 2024 Community Shield between Manchester United and Manchester City.
It was only last month that we saw the second-ever Manchester derby FA Cup final in history play out and now we’ll see the two teams return to the capital in just over a month and a half for another clash.
Revealing the Community Shield details on Wednesday, this year’s game will take place at 3pm on Saturday, 10 August.
Best getting booking them train tickets, Manc.
This year’s Community Shield kick-off time will be identical to the last two FA Cups. (Credit: Ratchet8865 via Wikimedia Commons)
With Man City having won a record fourth Premier League in a row and Man United getting one over on the Blues against the odds in last season’s FA Cup final, the neighbours will take each other on for just the third time in the history of the Community Shield – United having prevailed in both of the previous.
The Red Devils have won the title a total of 17 times, while the Cityzens have lifted the pre-season trophy just six times.
Given the nature of the rivalry, the kick-off time comes as little surprise, with 3pm having been chosen for the start of the last two Manchester derbies at Wembley to aid with travel and crowd control.
Nevertheless, an increased police presence will once again be expected in London.
While featuring in the Community Shield has been a regular occurrence for City over the past few years, they have only won two under Pep Guardiola. Meanwhile, this will be Erik ten Hag’s first experience of the fixture and United haven’t taken part in it since they last won the FA Cup in the 2016/17 season.
The match will be televised live on ITV 1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, with comprehensive radio coverage from BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Manchester, BBC World Service, TalkSPORT and TalkSPORT International.
Although the allocations and further ticket information remain unclear, the FA said they will announce all of the important details “at the earliest opportunity”.
Emily Sergeant -
18th June 2024 
