Metrolink passengers to face major disruption due to 'unforseen circumstances'

Passengers are set to face disruption on the Metrolink network until the end of November.

Planned engineering works to replace a damaged rail in Piccadilly Gardens have been delayed, so a revised timetable has been introduced to start on October 24. There will be changes to trams on three lines.

They are the Bury and Altrincham line, Ashton line, and Eccles line. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says passengers using these services will still be able to get to the city centre, but alternative methods of getting around are available for cross-city trips.

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“These are unforeseen circumstances which are outside of our control, and I want to apologise for any inconvenience this causes to our customers,” Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said.

“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.”

The delay in starting the work has been created by issues to do with Metrolink’s rail supplier. Passengers are being advised to plan ahead or speak to some of the extra staff deployed at tram stations for more advice.

The temporary service changes are as follows:

• 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 6-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.

For more information on the temporary service changes, including information on walking routes between affected stops, visit TfGM’s website.

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