Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced a new programme of work this year that aims to both increase & build capacity and resilience of its tracks, trams and overall workforce.
Forming part of a wider 150 million GBP programme to maintain, upgrade, and improve tram infrastructure, the work will seek to ensure the Bee Network can deliver safe, reliable and accessible services.
The works will begin this spring
© Transport for Greater Manchester
Passengers have been advised that there will be temporary periods of disruption whilst work is carried out starting this spring, with initial locations set to include sites near Trafford Bar, Deansgate-Castlefield, Monsall, Newton Heath & Moston, Eccles, Derker and Piccadilly Gardens.
The programme is set to continue until autumn, with TfGM stating that notice will be given before any potential closure, starting with Easter Weekend, which will see the start of work at Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield. These preparatory works will lay the foundations for a full track replacement later in the year, and will be carried out over four days from 3–6 April.
During this closure, rail replacement work will also take place on the Altrincham line, resulting in a stop in tram services along the Altrincham, Eccles and Trafford Park lines all weekend. The East Didsbury and Airport lines will run to Firswood only.
A revised timetable will be introduced across the tram network from Monday 30 March to autumn, with tram services set to run every 15 minutes and be supported by a peak service running every 7.5 minutes at the busiest times on the most popular lines.
All work is set to take place whilst a comprehensive recruitment drive seeks new tram drivers, a move that aims to build extra capacity and resilience in TfGM’s workforce.
During the temporary schedule, more double trams will run on the network in order to increase capacity in the busiest areas. TfGM and Metrolink operator KAM have stated that they will use also the opportunity to deep clean, maintain and carry out improvements to trams not currently in use on the network.
Ian Davies, Network Director for Metrolink at TfGM, said:
Keeping our network safe, reliable and ready for the future is our absolute priority. This year’s programme is one of the most significant we’ve ever undertaken and will strengthen the whole network—our track, our trams and our workforce.
Whilst we complete this work, we will introduce a temporary timetable change that will run between spring and autumn.
We know that some of this work will mean temporary disruption, and I want to thank passengers for their patience while we get it done. By investing now, we can reduce faults, improve day to day reliability and make sure Metrolink can keep pace with the growing number of people who depend on it every day now and for the future.