Manchester Metrolink is encouraging passengers to properly plan their journey today, as fewer trams are in operation across the network.
Due to a shortage of vehicles and ongoing engineering works after 43 trams were found to have been damaged and thus “can’t be used” during routine overnight maintenance checks, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that it will be running a ‘Sunday timetable’ today.
A 12-minute service is in place, with only single trams operating, meaning disruptions are expected due to less capacity.
TfGM said the disruption is set to continue for some time, with a statement released also announcing that the reduced service will be in place “until further notice”.
The statement also confirmed that further checks on other vehicles are continuing, and that the Metrolink operator is “working as quickly as possible” to bring the trams back into service and identify the infrastructure fault that has caused the damage.
ADVERTISEMENT
⚠️ Due to vehicle availability services will run on a Sunday timetable today.
🚌 Ticket acceptance is in place on commercial bus services
🚄 Ticket acceptance is in place on local rail between Victoria Stn and Rochdale
— Manchester Metrolink 🚊 😷 (@MCRMetrolink) July 26, 2021
Due to the shortage in services, TfGM has said that Metrolink ticket acceptance is in place on local commercial bus and train services instead.
Providing more of an insight into the situation, Alex Cropper – Interim Head of Operations at TfGM – said: “The operator has had to launch a much-reduced service after finding damage to over 40 trams during overnight maintenance and we’re sorry for the inconvenience this will cause to people’s journey today.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Engineers are now carrying out inspections to identify what has caused the damage – but given the size of the network, this might take some time.
“I’d like to reassure everyone that we are working extremely hard – in already very challenging circumstances – to resolve this issue, but it will have an impact on both the frequency and capacity available on the network.
“Staff will be out to support passengers, and we have put ticket acceptance in place across the network so customers can use local bus and train services to make their journey.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Passengers must wear a face covering, unless exempt, if using the Metrolink network / Credit: TfGM
TfGM has vowed to keep people updated throughout the day, but has encouraged passengers to plan their journeys in advance and, if they can, “consider walking, cycling, or using other modes of transport” instead.
Passengers must wear a face covering, unless exempt, if using the Metrolink network.
Today’s shortened timetable also runs in parallel to ‘improvement works’ on the network this week, with no trams operating between Piccadilly and Eccles while works take place until 31 July, and additionally, work at Victoria Station means trams on the East Didsbury and Rochdale lines will not stop at Exchange Square, and will be diverted to Shudehill and Market Street instead.
Manchester Metrolink has also been experiencing a large amount of staff absences in recent weeks due to COVID-related circumstances, with one in five of the network’s workforce said to be off in mid-July.
“Currently just under 20% of the workforce are absent, which is having an impact on the number of services we are able to run,” TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said on 15 July.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’re sorry for any delays, but hope passengers understand and bear with us at this time.”
Former Manchester City player Joey Barton found guilty of assaulting his wife
Danny Jones
Ex-footballer Joey Barton has officially been found guilty of assaulting his wife following his two-day trial in the capital this week.
Barton, who played for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers and a number of other clubs, was convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 25 March, following an incident back in June 2021.
The former midfielder left his wife, 37-year-old Georgia Barton (McNeil), with a bleeding nose and a bruise on her forehead following a drunken row at their home in London.
Barton is said to have grabbed and pushed her to the floor before kicking her in the head. Married in 2019, the two have four children and are thought to still be together.
The 42-year-old was still employed in professional football as the manager of Bristol Rovers at the time, but he was ultimately sacked in October 2023.
His wife called 999 at the time, telling police that he had hit her, but later retracted her statement.
Born in Huyton, Merseyside, the chief magistrate Paul Goldspring recognised that the one-time England has a history of violence.
He was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence, meaning he won’t serve time unless he commits another offence and has been ordered to pay £2,138.
Since dropping out of mainstream football, in particular, Barton has come under heavy criticism for allegations of racism, sexism and controversial right-wing politics; he even started an ‘anti-woke’ podcast called Common Sense with Joey Barton.
Back in June of last year, he was ordered to pay £35,000 in damages to settle a libel claim with presenter Jeremy Vine after a series of inflammatory comments made online.
The Radio 2 presenter sued Mr Barton earlier this year, after the former footballer wrote a series of posts suggesting Mr Vine had a sexual interest in children.
He also accused of threatening fellow former pro, Eni Aluko, after a torrent of abuse regarding her punditry online – the ex-England international even went so far as to say she no longer felt safe staying in the country.
Police appeal after man seriously injured in Northern Quarter stabbing
Daisy Jackson
Greater Manchester Police are appealing for witnesses after a stabbing in the Northern Quarter left a man seriously injured.
The incident occurred around 7.45pm on Thursday 20 March, on Tib Street near Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens.
Emergency services scrambled to the scene and the victim, a man in his 20s, taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Thankfully his injuries aren’t believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.
No arrests have yet been made and officers are now appealing for witnesses to assist with enquiries.
DI Geoffrey Machent, of the City of Manchester Division, said: “At around 7.45pm on Thursday 20 March, we were called to reports of a stabbing on Tib Street.
“A man was subsequently taken to hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening or life-changing. He remains there for treatment.
“At this time, we do not believe the incident presents any threat to the wider public or local businesses operating in the area.
“Neighbourhood officers will be deployed to provide reassurance in the locality over the coming days, including our newly formed Piccadilly Gardens team.
“We would like to appeal to the public for any information, or anyone who witnessed this incident, to please come forward.”
If anyone has information regarding this stabbing in the Northern Quarter, contact police by calling 101, or via the Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
The Manc -
26th July 2021 
