An old operating practice is set to return on the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester on Saturday 9th May, when due to an event taking place in the park, trams will terminate at the location often referred to as ‘Old Lakeside’. This was the former tramway terminus before the short extension across the road to the boating lake was opened a few years ago.
Due to a race taking place on this day it was initially expected that no tram service would operate – however, after further discussions with the park management took place, it was eventually agreed to allow a slightly curtailed service to run. A tram will therefore operate between Old Lakeside and Middleton Road park gates from 1300 to 1600 on 9th May, with the normal full service due to resume the following day.
Some further disruption is also anticipated next month, when the now annual ‘Parklife’ music festival takes place. This means that the tramway will be closed on the weekend of 6th & 7th June, so that big name bands, singers and DJs such as Disclosure, Rudimental, Ben Howard and George Ezra can perform in the park grounds.