A new 150 million GBP phase of renovations is set to begin on Greater Manchester’s tram network later this month as essential track replacement work aims to improve both network safety and resilience.
As a result, no trams will run between Victoria and Rochdale town centre from Saturday 16 to Friday 29 May due to improvement work taking place on the Oldham-Rochdale line.
A new 150 million GBP phase of renovations is set to begin on Greater Manchester’s tram network later this month
© Transport for Greater Manchester
Work is set to include the replacement of track between Monsall and Newton Heath & Moston, as well as improvement of drainage along the route, the replacement of foundation and correcting of both track level and alignment.
The job will necessitate the use of 290 new concrete sleepers and 2,000 tonnes of pea gravel, as well as the replacement of more than 5,000 tonnes of ballast. Once complete, the improvements are expected to make journeys smoother and more reliable for passengers, as well as improve track conditions for the long-term and allow for the lifting of some speed restrictions currently in place for safety reasons.
During the work, trams to East Didsbury will start from Exchange Square and a bus replacement service will be in place between Victoria and Rochdale Town Centre. Frequent Bee Network bus services will also call at the bus stops near each tram stop. Tram tickets will only be accepted on the replacement bus, not on numbered bus services.
In order to minimise overall disruption, work at Derker will also take place at the same time. Whilst the track was made safe following a landslip in Summer 2024; a longer-term solution will now see teams drive steel sheets into the ground in order to hold it in place, preventing further movement. Further work will be necessary later in the year to complete the job.
Between Monday 25 and Friday 29 May, improvement work is set to be carried out at Piccadilly Gardens to update equipment that has been in place since the line’s initial opening in 1992. During this time, no trams will run between St Peter’s Square/Market Street and Piccadilly, with passengers asked to change trams, take a short walk or catch a free bus to continue their journey before trams resume service on Saturday 30 May.
Transport for Greater Manchester has released the following service information for the period:
- Exchange Square – East Didsbury (7.5 minute frequency during peak times)
- Bury – Altrincham (7.5 minute frequency during peak times)
- Manchester Airport – Victoria (via Market Street)
- Deansgate-Castlefield – Eccles (via MediaCityUK)
- Trafford Centre – Crumpsall (via Market Street)
- Piccadilly – Ashton-under-Lyne
Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said:
These improvements are part of our continued £150m investment to make our tram network safer, more reliable and more resilient for the long term.
It’s a really big job, which means we have to close the line to get it done, but in the longer term this will make a real difference to everyone that travels with us.
We’d like to thank people for their patience while this essential work takes place. We’ll have replacement bus services in place, and our staff will be out across the network to help everyone make their journey as usual.
I’d strongly encourage everyone travelling during this period to plan ahead, as some tram services will need to change while we carry out this essential work. The best way for customers to stay informed and plan their journey is by using the Bee Network website or app.