Temporary changes are being introduced to some Metrolink services this week after planned engineering works in Manchester city centre were delayed.
Work to replace a damaged rail in Piccadilly Gardens was set to start this week but has been delayed until the end of November due to issues with Metrolink’s rail supplier.
To ensure the continued safe running of services across the network, several precautionary route changes will be introduced from today, Monday.
Passengers on all lines will still be able to get into the city centre and there are alternative travel options for those wanting to make cross-city journeys on affected routes, including alternative tram services, bus replacement or walking routes.
Staff will be at all affected stops to help customers, who are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time when making connecting journeys.
The temporary service changes will be:
• Bury and Altrincham services will not operate into Piccadilly Station.
Instead, these services will operate from Bury to Altrincham via Market Street.
These will run at a six-minute frequency from 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6.30pm on Saturdays. Outside of these times, services will operate every 12 minutes.
• Ashton services will operate to Crumpsall via Victoria Station.
These will run at a 12-minute frequency at all times.
Passengers on the Bury and Altrincham lines will be able to connect to this service to travel to Piccadilly Station.
• Eccles services will operate to Deansgate-Castlefield.
These will run at a 12-minute frequency at all times.
As there will not be a direct connection between Piccadilly Station and Deansgate-Castlefield, a Metrolink replacement bus service will operate.
Rail services between Piccadilly Station and Deansgate-Castlefield stations can also be used for this connection.
Danny Vaughan, Transport for Greater Manchester's head of Metrolink, said: “These are unforeseen circumstances which are outside of our control, and I want to apologise for any inconvenience this causes to our customers.
“We will be doing everything we can to minimise disruptions to journeys and staff will be available at all affected stops to provide travel advice.”
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