Mancs are being told to brace themselves for Metrolink disruption while “essential engineering works” are carried out on several lines.
Maintenance will be taking place over a number of weekends in late October and early November, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed – with works to renew points, and replace tracks and concrete kicking off this Sunday (22 October) at Cornbrook.
The works being carried out at Cornbrook are expected to have a knock-on affect, and impact services across the network.
Following that, track repair work will then also take place on the Bury and Rochdale lines over the weekend of Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 November, and during this time, TfGM has confirmed there will be no tram service between Bury and Whitefield, or Freehold and Rochdale Town Centre.
Replacement bus services will be laid on at all affected stops to ensure people are still able to make their journeys as usual on these dates.
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⚠️ Work at Cornbrook tram stop on Sunday [22 October] will result in service changes across the network.
Your tram tickets and passes will be accepted on replacement buses. Make sure you touch in or buy a ticket before boarding.
TfGM has apologised for “any inconvenience” that may be caused to travellers.
Speaking ahead of the essential engineering works beginning this weekend, Danny Vaughan, who is the Head of Metrolink at TfGM, said: “We are very sorry for any inconvenience these essential works may cause people to people travelling on these dates, however, it’s important we maintain and improve the network so it continues to provide a reliable and safe service to all our customers.
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“We have a comprehensive replacement bus service across all affected dates, so people can still get to and from their intended destinations.
“I’d encourage passengers to monitor our website and social media channels for the latest information and advice.”
Metrolink disruption is expected this weekend due to ‘essential engineering works’ / Credit: Matthew Cassidy (via Unsplash)
Mr Vaughn insists these engineering works have been scheduled to “minimise disruption during the week”, and adds that TfGM will be doing “everything we can” to make journeys as easy as possible for passengers.
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These essential engineering works over the next couple of weekends are parter of what TfGM has called a “comprehensive” programme of renewals and enhancements in order to “maintain and improve” the tram network heading into festive season – which is, of course, always one of the busiest times of the year for travel.
For all the full details of Metrolink works and bus replacement services, you’ll want to head on over to the TfGM website here.
Featured Image – Mangopear Creative (via Unsplash)
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Oldham police issue dispersal order following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder in town centre
Emily Sergeant
A dispersal order has been issued in Oldham following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder between groups of youths.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that it has implemented a Section 35 dispersal order and additional Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers in Oldham following repeat incidents of disorder between groups of youths in the town centre.
The measures were introduced yesterday afternoon (9 December) after reports of disorder came into police, which also followed similar incidents seen earlier this and last week.
So far, five arrests have been made in connection with the incidents – two for violent disorder, and three for possession of offensive weapons.
A Section 35 dispersal order is in effect for 48 hours until 1:25pm this Thursday (11 December), and the Section 60 is in effect for an initial 24 hours until 1:25pm today.
#UPDATE | We have implemented a Section 35 dispersal order and a Section 60 stop and search powers in Oldham Town Centre today at 1:25pm.
The measures will remain in place for 48 hours for the S.35 and for 24 hours for the S.60 following disorder.
The dispersal order allows officers to exclude a person, or people, from an area for up to 48 hours through a written notice, while the Section 60 authority grants officers extended powers to stop and search individuals within the area.
Neighbourhood officers will maintain a high-visibility presence in the area and will use these powers where necessary to ‘keep the public safe’.
“These measures are in place to prevent further disorder and ensure the safety of those living, working, and visiting Oldham town centre,” commented Inspector Amie Whitehead, who is the Neighbourhood Inspector for Oldham South & West.
“We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour and will take robust action against anyone involved.
“These powers are crucial to preventing any further offences from taking place. If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who are there to help.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact police via 101 or using the LiveChat function on www.gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1619 of 09/12/25.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Trafford Centre announces opening hours for 2025/26 festive season – including Boxing Day
Emily Sergeant
Trafford Centre has published its full list of opening hours for this current festive season.
We all know that the Christmas period is one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry, with people flocking to the shops in their millions to snap up festive gifts for their loved ones, and it only gets busier from Boxing Day onwards too when all the sales launch, offering shoppers some unmissable deals and bargains.
And nowhere in Greater Manchester gets busier during the festive season than the Trafford Centre. After all, with more than 200 stores all under one room, it’s not hard to see why.
This year, shoppers can make the most of extended opening hours at the Trafford Centre right through to New Year’s Day – with late night shopping until 11pm on selected dates in December leading up to the big day.
Alongside being a one-stop-shop for gifts, there’s also dozens of festive events and new Christmas lights to enjoy at the Trafford Centre too, so visitors can tick everything off their list and have a great day out while they’re at it.
The shopping centre will be open from 9am – 5pm on Christmas Eve, so you can whip round and grab any last-minute presents, before it’s closed fully on Christmas Day, and then opens again bright and early at 8am on Boxing Day.
Trafford Centre Christmas Opening Hours 2025/26
18 and 19 December: 10am – 11pm
20 December: 10am – 10pm
21 December: 12pm – 6pm
22 and 23 December: 10am – 11pm
Christmas: 9am – 5pm
Christmas Day: Closed
26 December: 8am – 8pm (some stores may be closed, please check with individual brands)
27 December: 10am – 9pm
28 December: 12pm – 6pm
29 and 30 December: 10pm – 10pm
New Year’s Eve: 9am – 5pm
New Year’s Day: 12pm – 6pm
It’s also worth noting, however, that not every store inside the Trafford Centre will be open on Boxing Day, so you’ll need to check with individual brands ahead of time.
For the restaurants, stores, and leisure venues that are open, you can check their specific trading hours on the Trafford Centre website here.
When it comes to festive event, The Grotto is open until Christmas Eve for pre-bookings only, and the Christmas fairground and ice rink, Big Wheel, and Gandeys Snowstorm Firebird show are all open until 4 January (closed Christmas Day).
Emily Sergeant -
20th October 2023 
