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Tram upgrades and track replacements to take place across Greater Manchester this summer

The work is part of a planned £147m package to "maintain, upgrade, and improve" the Metrolink network up to 2027.

Emily Sergeant - 26th February 2024

Upgrades to trams and several track replacements are set to take place across Greater Manchester this summer.

It comes after it was announced last week that an extra £21.4 million investment funding is being ploughed into the Metrolink network over the next 12 months in a bid to “improve” it and ensure that services remain as “safe and reliable” as possible for years to come, according to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

The improvement works were approved by the Bee Network committee last Thursday (22 February).

According to TfGM, the work is part of a planned £147 million package to “maintain, upgrade, and improve” the network throughout the region up to 2027.

Immediate priorities for this summer include track replacement in several parts of the city centre, including Piccadilly Gardens and London Road, and on parts of the Altrincham, and Bury Lines too – which transport bosses claim will mean “quicker, smoother, and more reliable” journeys for passengers using these services.

Plans also include a programme of modifications to the trams themselves, and the installing of state-of-the-art safety systems – including sensors in the middle of double trams, and speed warning devices.

Tram upgrades and track replacements are set to take place across Greater Manchester this summer / Credit: TfGM

New electrical substations are being added along parts of the Bury Line too to additional power so that more doubles trams run in future.

Metrolink is also replacing much of the communications network that’s said to be “critical” to the operation of its signalling and control systems, and is also looking into the replacement of overhead lines on some of the older parts of the network too.

Although the long-term benefits of the works to passengers are expected to be significant, TfGM has conceded that the improvement works set to take place this summer will mean some short-term disruption – but says this is planned to “minimise inconvenience to passengers”.

Vital information about service changes and replacement bus services will be available well in advance of the work, it has been confirmed.

Works are part of a planned £147m improvement package for the Metrolink network / Credit: Mangopear Creative (via Unsplash)

“Metrolink is an integral part of the Bee Network,” explained Danny Vaughan, who is TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, as the plans were announced last week, “And it’s really important that we invest in it so that we can continue to provide a safe, reliable, and positive experience for the thousands of people who travel with us every day.

“This is a coordinated package of planned works to maintain, renew, and improve the network and help to keep Greater Manchester moving.

“While we understand any disruption can be frustrating, we’ll be doing everything we can to keep it to a minimum, and we will make sure passengers know what’s happening well in advance, so I’d ask people to please bear with us while the works are carried out, as the benefits will be there to be enjoyed for years to come.”

For full details of all tram improvement works planned for this year, you’ll want to head to TfGM and the Bee Network website here.

Featured Image – TfGM