TfGM continues £150 million investment in Metrolink infrastructure

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is continuing a £150 million investment into making the Metrolink network safer, more resilient and more reliable for years to come ahead of major planned expansions of the tram system including into Stockport.

From Monday 13 July to Sunday 2 August, TfGM will replace around 1.6 km of track – parts of which are more than 30 years old – between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield, as well as working on a separate section on the Eccles line at the same time. This section of track is one of the busiest sections of light-rail in the world, with one tram passing through every 30 seconds for 20 hours a day.

While the work is being done, no trams will run on the Eccles, Trafford Centre and Altrincham lines. Services on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines will terminate at Firswood, while services on the Rochdale line will terminate at Exchange Square.

Replacement buses will run between affected stops, with normal services due to resume from Monday 3 August. There will be a special event bus service running for the cricket at Old Trafford on 26 and 31 July (The Hundred, Manchester Super Giants vs Birmingham and then Trent Rockets).

Work will also take place at Eccles and the city centre around Piccadilly Gardens during this closure (13 July-29 July). This will help to reduce the need for further disruptions to the network.

More than 3,000 tonnes of new rail and 800 new concrete sleepers will be fitted as part of the scheme, with a team of 70 engineers working across three sites throughout the summer to get the work done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Once installed the track will be carefully adjusted and tested to ensure it meets strict safety standards and trams travel smoothly and efficiently along it.

Such is the complexity of the work required where the Eccles and Altrincham lines meet at Cornbrook, it will be the first time a type of specialist lifting equipment has been used in the UK. The innovative Genesis Panel Lifters will help engineers work more efficiently and support delivery of the programme within planned timescales.

Due to the scale of the work at Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield – and to keep disruption to a minimum – there will also be a further two-week closure in the autumn to complete this phase.

Ian Davies, Network Director for Metrolink at TfGM, said:

“The work at Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield is taking place on one of the busiest stretches of tram track in the country. Some sections are more than 30 years old, with 40-tonne trams running every 30 seconds at peak times – that level wear and tear takes its toll, which is why this work is so important.

“It’s one of the most complex parts of the network to access, requiring a carefully planned approach to carry out the work safely and efficiently. These upgrades will also help us reduce journey times and make services more reliable for passengers.

“At the same time, we’re taking the opportunity to service our trams, helping to improve reliability when services resume. We’re also replacing lifts at a number of stops to provide more dependable step-free access.

“We’re sorry for the disruption. We know it can be annoying, and while these essential upgrades take place we will do everything we can to keep people moving.”

Alongside track renewals, a separate £1.7 million investment will fund the replacement of eight lifts at tram stops across the network, The lift renewal programme is focused on improving the reliability of step-free access across the tram network – particularly for disabled passengers, older people and those travelling with pushchairs or heavy bags. Some lifts are experiencing ongoing issues and replacing them will provide a more reliable, long-term solution and help ensure that the network is accessible to everyone.