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.
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⚠️ 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.
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“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.”
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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.
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“We’re sorry for any delays, but hope passengers understand and bear with us at this time.”
NHS says it’s battling with ‘worst case scenario’ as flu cases surge nationwide
Emily Sergeant
Flu hospitalisations have surged by more than half in just one week, plunging the NHS into the ‘worst case scenario’.
Shocking new figures have revealed that an nn average of 2,660 patients per day were in a hospital bed with flu last week, which is the highest-ever for this time of year and up 55% up on last week – which, when put into perspective, means there are enough flu patients each day to fill more than three whole hospital trusts.
NHS bosses have warned that the total has already increased sharply since the week covered by the data, and at this time, there is thought to be no ‘peak’ in sight.
These new figures come as demand for A&Es and ambulance services are already soaring.
The number of patients in hospital with flu has risen by over 50% in the last week, reaching a record number for this time of year – and numbers continue to grow.
New monthly figures showed that A&E attendances were a record for November at 2.35 million and more than 30,000 higher than November 2024, while there were 48,814 more ambulance incidents compared to last year.
The record-breaking demand also comes just ahead of thousands of resident doctors going on strike this week from 17-22 December – with ‘major disruption’ expected for patients ahead of Christmas.
The public are advised to attend any planned appointments scheduled during the strikes, unless they have been contacted to reschedule.
Primary and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available for those who need them, during the industrial action.
NHS says it’s battling with the ‘worst case scenario’ as flu cases surge nationwide / Credit: Pxhere
The public should use 111 online as their first port of call for urgent but not life-threatening issues so that they can be directed to the best place for their needs, while patients who need emergency medical care should continue to use 999 or come forward to A&E as normal.
“With record demand for A&E and ambulances and an impending resident doctors strike, this unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year – with staff being pushed to the limit to keep providing the best possible care for patients,” commented Professor Meghana Pandit, who is the NHS National Medical Director.
“Even worse, it continues to rise and the peak is not in sight yet, so the NHS faces an extremely challenging few weeks ahead.
“We have prepared earlier for winter than ever before, and stress-tested services to ensure people have a range of ways to get the help they need and avoid needing to go to A&E.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the flu surge as a ‘tidal wave’.
“We are working with the NHS to make sure it is able to cope with this as best as possible,” he concluded.
Featured Image – Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
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Erling Haaland dresses up as Santa and hands out Christmas presents in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Erling Haaland has doubled as Father Christmas in his latest YouTube stunt, dressing up as Santa and handing out presents to local kids in the new episode.
We’re starting to think he might be one of the most likeable footballers on the planet right now.
The Norwegian footballer recently surpassed Alan Shearer’s ‘fastest to 100 goals record’ in the Premier League and has been well and truly back to his best as Man City continue to rediscover their form, but the big blonde number nine has been delighting both on and off the pitch of late.
For starters, even before any of the season’s givings began, we got the giggle just from our first glimpse of the thumbnail.
Yes, Haaland definitely has a habit of leaning into the humorous side of his celebrity status, having already dressed up as the Joker for Halloween in one of the first episodes published on his still relatively new YouTube channel.
However, the 25-year-old got up to some more heartwarming activities this time around, swapping the face paint, green wig and stripey suit for a red coat, hat, some little glasses and a big white beard.
With the video itself showing him getting into character and loading his car with a sack full of presents, he then goes on to visit multiple houses to dish out the surprise gifts.
While the title and description state that he drove around the streets of 0161, it’s hard to tell where exactly he went, but we’d guess it was more around Alderley Edge and/or the Cheshire side of the Greater Manchester borders.
One particular interaction between the disguised Blue and a young Red certainly produced a harmless little bit of comedy…
Either way, on the whole, this particular instalment was more wholesome than it was funny, and it’s always nice to see sports personalities and famous people spreading kindness.
Obviously, not everyone can afford to be as generous as a Premier League and world-famous international athlete, but it’s nevertheless a nice touch.
The Manc -
26th July 2021 
