A major programme of planned and coordinated work to replace tram tracks in Manchester city centre will be rounded off for the year with essential maintenance on the Ashton line and near Piccadilly Station.
The work will take place between Friday 5 and Sunday 7 September. During this time, no trams will run between Piccadilly Gardens and Ashton-under-Lyne, and a replacement bus service will operate between the affected stops.
It comes after work to replace ageing tracks between Piccadilly Station and Piccadilly Gardens was successfully completed in early August.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) worked with Metrolink operator KAM to keep trams running from Piccadilly to Ashton throughout the 11-week closure.
Essential work has also been completed at other city centre locations over the spring and summer, including at York Street and Market Street.
It’s all part of a long-term plan to ensure safe, reliable services across the tram network well into the future, as we invest nearly £150m to maintain, upgrade and improve the Metrolink network through to 2027.
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at Transport for Greater Manchester, said:
“This is the final piece of this year’s planned track replacement programme, and we would like to thank everyone for bearing with us while these essential upgrades have been carried out.
“Metrolink is the largest light rail network in the country and forms a key part of the Bee Network, with our trams carrying 46 million passenger journeys last year alone.
“As more people choose to get on board the Bee Network, it’s important we continue to invest in our tram system to keep it safe, reliable and accessible for years to come.”
During this closure additional work will be carried out across the Ashton line network including drainage works at locations in Droylsden and Audenshaw.
This Sunday (August 31), track repair works will also take place on Mosley Street in Manchester city centre. No trams will operate between St Peter’s Square and Market Street/Piccadilly Gardens during this time.
All stops will remain open during these works, however some customers may have to change trams or take a short walk to reach their usual stop.
