Greater Manchester tram network investment brings May closures

Greater Manchester tram network investment is due to enter a new phase later this month. The £150 million phase is linked to essential track replacement. The work is planned to support safety and long-term resilience. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

TfGM’s Rochdale line works page says trams will not operate between Victoria and Rochdale Town Centre. The closure runs from Saturday 16 May until Friday 29 May. Work will take place on the Oldham-Rochdale line. In addition, the closure period will bring temporary service changes. Replacement bus arrangements will apply for passengers using the affected part of the network.

Greater Manchester tram network investment and line closures

The programme includes track replacement between Monsall and Newton Heath & Moston. Also, drainage along the route will be improved. Foundations will be replaced, and teams will correct the level and alignment of the track.

According to Railway-News, the work will require the following:

• 290 new concrete sleepers;
• 2,000 tonnes of pea gravel;
• the replacement of more than 5,000 tonnes of ballast.

Once complete, the improvements are expected to make journeys smoother. They are also expected to make journeys more reliable for passengers. They should also improve track conditions over the longer term. This should allow some safety-related speed restrictions to be removed.

During the closure, services towards East Didsbury will start from Exchange Square. A replacement bus will operate between Victoria and Rochdale Town Centre. Meanwhile, frequent Bee Network bus services will also stop near each tram stop. Tram tickets will be valid only on the replacement bus service. They will not be accepted on numbered bus routes.

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Derker and Piccadilly Gardens works

To reduce the overall level of disruption, work at Derker will be carried out during the same period. The track there was made safe after a landslip in summer 2024. At the same time, a longer-term solution will involve driving steel sheets into the ground. The steel sheets are intended to hold it in place and prevent further movement. In addition, further work will still be required later in the year to complete that job.

Separately, improvements are also planned at Piccadilly Gardens. The work is scheduled from Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May. TfGM’s Piccadilly Gardens works page says this work will update equipment. The equipment has been in place since the line first opened in 1992. During that period, trams will not run between St Peter’s Square/Market Street and Piccadilly. Passengers will be advised to change trams, walk a short distance or use a free bus. This will allow them to continue their journeys. Trams are due to resume service on Saturday 30 May.

Metrolink service changes during the works

Transport for Greater Manchester has issued the following service information for the period:

Exchange Square – East Didsbury (7.5 minute frequency during peak times)
Bury – Altrincham (7.5 minute frequency during peak times)
Manchester Airport – Victoria (via Market Street)
Deansgate-Castlefield – Eccles (via MediaCityUK)
Trafford Centre – Crumpsall (via Market Street)
Piccadilly – Ashton-under-Lyne

Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said:

These improvements are part of our continued £150m investment to make our tram network safer, more reliable and more resilient for the long term.

It’s a really big job, which means we have to close the line to get it done, but in the longer term this will make a real difference to everyone that travels with us.

We’d like to thank people for their patience while this essential work takes place. We’ll have replacement bus services in place, and our staff will be out across the network to help everyone make their journey as usual.

I’d strongly encourage everyone travelling during this period to plan ahead, as some tram services will need to change while we carry out this essential work. The best way for customers to stay informed and plan their journey is by using the Bee Network website or app.

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