Tram services have resumed across Greater Manchester's Metrolink network after two weeks of major engineering work was completed on schedule.
All lines are running again this morning (Monday, 2 November), following the replacement of around 4km of track between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield. The work took place during a planned two-week closure from 19 October to 1 November, with additional maintenance and renewal work carried out on the Eccles line and in Manchester city centre.
Part of £150m investment programme
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said the upgrades form part of a £150m investment programme to maintain and improve the Metrolink network. Engineers replaced around 4km of track along one of the busiest and most complex sections of the network, where five tram lines converge and services pass through every 30 seconds for much of the day.
The improvements are expected to deliver smoother and more reliable journeys, bosses say, with further speed restrictions set to be lifted along sections of the network. Around 100,000 journeys a day are already benefiting from journey time improvements introduced during previous phases of the programme.
City centre changes and diversions
However, some minor changes to city centre services will remain in place until Wednesday, 4 November, while final checks on engineering work at Piccadilly Gardens are completed. Trams on the Bury to Altrincham and Victoria to Manchester Airport routes will divert through Exchange Square instead of Market Street during this period.
Services will also remain unaffected by ongoing road repairs on Portland Street following a burst water main, although Bee Network bus services are still subject to diversions.
Network director comments on achievement
Ian Davies, Metrolink's network director at TfGM, said the work was essential to keeping the network safe and reliable. He said: "This was an essential piece of engineering work on one of the busiest parts of our tram network and will help keep services safe, reliable and fit for the future. We're sorry for the disruption and I'd like to thank passengers, residents and businesses for their patience while we got on with the job."
He added that the upgrades would help speed up journeys and improve reliability, while completing work on this scale on time was a "significant achievement". Passengers are advised to check the TfGM website for the latest information on city centre tram changes and diverted bus services.
