Work to replace tram tracks in Manchester city centre is set to begin as part of the ongoing Metrolink improvements programme.
The track replacement forms part of a planned 147 million GBP investment aimed at maintaining and upgrading the network up to 2027.
The latest phase of work will take place on York Street between Saturday 1 March and Sunday 16 March. During this period, tram services between St Peter’s Square and Market Street or Piccadilly Gardens will be suspended.
Passengers travelling on the Ashton-under-Lyne service will be able to reach Victoria, stopping at Piccadilly, Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, and Shudehill. Other cross-city services will be diverted via Exchange Square.
Alternative travel options will be available for passengers needing to cross the city centre. Travellers can change trams at Victoria or use the free bus services from Deansgate-Castlefield to reach other stops. A signed walking route will also be in place between St Peter’s Square, Market Street, and Piccadilly Gardens.
Further track works are scheduled to take place at multiple locations in the city centre later this year, including High Street, Church Street, Portland Street, Aytoun Street, and Piccadilly Gardens.
This rolling programme of infrastructure improvements is funded through the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. The work aims to maintain the safety, reliability, and accessibility of the Metrolink network, ensuring it continues to serve passengers effectively in the years ahead.
Ian Davies, Interim Network Director for Metrolink at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said:Metrolink is the biggest light rail system in the country, so it’s critically important that we keep investing in the network and making sure it remains a safe, reliable and accessible way to get around Greater Manchester well into the future.
We will be doing everything we can to minimise disruption for passengers, and I would encourage people to plan ahead and check our website or the Bee Network app for the latest travel information before setting off.
