Major disruption to trams for £150m upgrade works

Further disruption to Greater Manchester's tram services have been announced with the closure of three Metrolink lines for three weeks later this month as part of its £150m upgrade.

Tracks are being replaced between Trafford Bar, Cornbrook and Deansgate-Castlefield with the work starting on 13 July and running until 2 August.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said no trams would operate on the Eccles, Trafford Centre and Altrincham lines while the East Didsbury/Manchester Airport lines would terminate at Firswood and the Rochdale line would terminate at Exchange Square.

Replacement buses will be running between affected stops during the "essential" improvement work, it added.

TfGM said work would also take place at Eccles and the city centre around Piccadilly Gardens during this closure to help to reduce the need for further disruptions to the network.

A special event bus service will be in place for The Hundred returning to the Old Trafford Cricket Ground on 26 July and also on 31 July.

Ian Davies, network director for Metrolink, 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 of wear and tear takes its toll, which is why this work is so important."

He said the upgrades would also help reduce journey times and make services more reliable for passengers.

"We're sorry for the disruption," he added.

"We know it can be annoying, and while these essential upgrades take place we will do everything we can to keep people moving."

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