It seems you can’t go too long on Manchester Metrolink without another incident involving a car with the latest such incident occurring on Tuesday 27th January. This time a cab managed to drive into the path of a double unit (led by 3022) on Mosley Street at the junction with Nicholas Street – by no means the first time a car has come into contract with a tram at this location.
The collision happened at 0955 and all tram services through the area were immediately suspended with the emergency services called. According to reports the cab driver said that he had not seen the tram coming and when he attempted to break his car just skidded into the path of the Metrolink vehicle. Fortunately there were no injuries reported with the cab driver being interviewing by Police at the scene before being allowed to go home.
The area was cleared by 1100 after which time Metrolink services were gradually reformed, although as is always the case with incidents such as this residual delays were suffered by passengers for several hours.
3022 was returned to depot where it will require repairs before being released back into traffic.
Two images showing the aftermath of the incident with the damaged front skirt of 3022 removed ahead of the vehicles being returned to depot. (Both Photos: Ralph Oakes-Garnett)
My friend and I on hearing about the collision both of us guessed it was going to be a taxi! On arrival we were not disappointed. I find it hard to accept that a large bright yellow tram on a tram only road was not seen.
Yet another simple case of driving without due care and attention and failing to concentrate on the job in hand.
I wonder if the taxi driver’s insurance includes a “stupidity” clause covering him for this sort of careless act.
If the driver’s claim that he tried hardto stop but couldn’t then he was approaching too fast in the first place. According to the M.E.N. Report some passengers on the tram saw the taxi approaching sufficiently early to start moving away from the front of the tram away from the impact zone, if that was the case the taxi driver should have been able to see the tram in enough time to stop. If he couldn’t see something the size of a tram painted in a hi-vis colour then he shouldn’t have been behind the wheel.
This is the 6th collision I am aware of at this junction (the second in 4 days) with the majority of cars being taxis.
It is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured or even killed here.
I think Nicholas Street should be closed off and traffic to use Charlotte Street, the next street further up where there are traffic signals.
Is someone going to do the Fleet List?
Correction: Is someone going to update the fleet list?
Yes, I expect that someone will update the fleet list when they get some spare time.
Not much point rushing when car drivers keep altering the status of it Gareth, don’t know how you can be expected to keep up lol.
I wouldn’t think it will be out of traffic for long – I’ve seen far worse levels of damage on trams and they are quickly repaired and returned to service. It tends to need to be quite a serious bump for a tram to be stopped for more than a few days. I’ve not been at work this week, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is back in service within a few days, if it isn’t already!