Passengers brace for two weeks of travel chaos as Metrolink's most disruptive work ever starts
Three tram lines are closed until 1st November as 4,000 metres of track is replaced
Tram passengers across Greater Manchester are facing two weeks of major disruption, after Metrolink bosses admitted this is the most disruptive piece of engineering work ever carried out on the network.
No trams are running on the Altrincham, Trafford Centre and Eccles lines until 1st November, according to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
Services on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines are also affected, with trams currently terminating at Firswood.
From there, passengers need to use a replacement bus service to continue their journey into the city centre.
Trams on the Rochdale line are terminating at Exchange Square rather than running into the city centre.
Ian Davies, Network Director at Metrolink, said the scale of the project meant disruption was unavoidable.
"It's a significant piece of work. It's the most disruptive piece of engineering work that's ever happened on Metrolink and for that obviously we apologise to passengers for disruptions. During this period of engineering, we're sorry for the delays that will inevitably occur. But obviously once we've done this engineering work, passengers will really see the benefits," he said.
Why are the works happening
TfGM said around 4,000 metres of track is being replaced as part of the project, which is taking place at Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar.
Davies said the track being replaced is around 30 years old.
"Some of the track that we're replacing is actually 30 years old and over that time we've been running slower and slower on that section of track. So once we've done this work, as per the previous work that we did over the summer, passengers will really see a significant improvement in journey times," he said.
What are the travel alternatives
TfGM said tram users can use alternatives including shuttle buses, Bee Network buses or the train while the works are ongoing.
Passengers are being encouraged to plan their journeys in advance using the Bee Network app or website.
Trams are continuing to run on several other lines, including East Didsbury to Firswood, Manchester Airport to Firswood, and Rochdale Town Centre to Exchange Square.
Services are also running between Bury and Ashton-under-Lyne, Bury and Etihad during peak hours, and Victoria and Etihad after peak hours.
Football fans urged to plan ahead
Several football fixtures are taking place at Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium while the works are ongoing.
TfGM is urging fans travelling to Manchester United's match against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on 25th October to check its dedicated webpage for match day travel advice.
Fans heading to the Etihad Stadium for Man City's games against AEK Athens on 20th October, Brighton in the Carabao Cup on 28th October, and Brighton in the Premier League on 31st October are also being advised to plan their journeys in advance.
Tram services are due to resume on the affected lines from the start of service on 2nd November.
TfGM said some minor route changes through the city centre will remain in place until 4th November.