Metrolink routes to change next week due to delayed repair work at Piccadilly Gardens
Temporary changes are being introduced to some Metrolink services after planned engineering works in Manchester city centre have been delayed.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced that planned work to replace a damaged rail in Piccadilly Gardens that was originally set to start next week to “ensure the continued safe running of services across the network” has now been delayed until the end of November due to issues with the rail supplier.
Several precautionary route changes will now be introduced from Monday 24 October, TfGM confirmed.
Repair works come after a “minor derailment” of a tram in the Piccadilly Gardens area caused significant disruption across the city centre late last month.
TfGM has assured that passengers on all lines will still be able to get into the city centre, and there are alternative travel options for those wanting to make cross-city journeys on affected routes – including other tram services, bus replacements, or walking routes.
People are being advised to plan ahead and allow extra time when making connecting journeys, and TfGM says that Metrolink staff will be at all affected stops to help customers out.
What routes are set to be affected then?
Bury and Altrincham services will not operate into Piccadilly Station, and will instead operate from Bury to Altrincham via Market Street at a six-minute frequency from 7am to 8pm on Monday to Friday, and 9am to 6.30pm on Saturdays.
Outside of these times, services will operate every 12 minutes.
Ashton services will operate to Crumpsall via Victoria Station at a 12-minute frequency at all times, and passengers on the Bury and Altrincham lines will be able to connect to this service to travel to Piccadilly Station.
Eccles services will operate to Deansgate-Castlefield, also at a 12-minute frequency at all times, and as there will be no direct connection between Piccadilly Station and Deansgate-Castlefield, a Metrolink replacement bus service will operate.
Rail services between Piccadilly Station and Deansgate-Castlefield stations can also be used for this connection.
Speaking ahead of the planned engineering works, Danny Vaughan – Head of Metrolink at said: “These are unforeseen circumstances which are outside of our control, and I want to apologise for any inconvenience this causes to our customers.
“We will be doing everything we can to minimise disruptions to journeys and staff will be available at all affected stops to provide travel advice.”
Read more:
- Metrolink tram derails near Piccadilly Gardens causing disruption across city centre
- Dogs are allowed on trams in Manchester for the first time ever from today
- Eccles tram line to close on ‘several occasions’ this year for essential maintenance
For more information on the temporary service changes, including information on walking routes between affected stops, head over to TfGM’s website here.
Featured Image – TfGM