Major Greater Manchester tram line to shut all this weekend for ‘essential’ track replacement

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Manchester trams at the depot / Credit: TfGM

A major programme of planned and coordinated work to replace tram tracks in Greater Manchester is finally set to be rounded off for the year.

But first, one of the region‘s major tram lines will need to shut for a full weekend.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that essential maintenance will be carried out on the Ashton line for three days this extended weekend, and during this time, no trams will run between Piccadilly Gardens and Ashton-under-Lyne, and a replacement bus service will operate between the affected stops.

It comes after work to replace ageing tracks between Piccadilly Station and Piccadilly Gardens was successfully completed in early August.

TfGM worked with Metrolink operator KAM to keep trams running from Piccadilly to Ashton throughout the 11-week closure, however on this occasion, it will not be possible to do so and the line will have to shut to the public.

All essential maintenance works that have been carried out and completed this year form part of a long-term plan to ensure ‘safe and reliable’ services – with TfGM having invested nearly £150m to ‘maintain, upgrade, and improve’ the Metrolink network through to 2027.

During this closure, additional work will also be carried out across the Ashton line network – including drainage works at locations in Droylsden and Audenshaw.

“This is the final piece of this year’s planned track replacement programme, and we would like to thank everyone for bearing with us while these essential upgrades have been carried out,” commented Danny Vaughan, who is the Chief Network Officer at TfGM.

“As more people choose to get on board the Bee Network, it’s important we continue to invest in our tram system to keep it safe, reliable and accessible for years to come.”

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No trams will run between Piccadilly Gardens and Ashton-under-Lyne from Friday 5 – Sunday 7 September.

Find more information and live updates on the planned works here.

Featured Image – TfGM