Monday mornings! Never the most popular time of the week as it is but for passengers on three separate UK tramways it was even worse as services were disrupted for a variety of reasons. London Tramlink, Manchester Metrolink and Nottingham Express Transit were all affected to differing degrees.
Starting off in Nottingham a technical fault between Bulwell and Bulwell Forest on the Hucknall line has seen disruption since Sunday (18th March) afternoon leading to a replacement bus service being provided for passengers. Trams were continuing to run from Hucknall as far as Moor Bridge where a bus was then running to Bulwell via Bulwell Forest. A normal service was then running from Bulwell. Passengers were advised that these changes would be in place until the “issue is rectified”.
In Manchester the problem is at Victoria where there is structural damage to the roof caused by high winds. Trams have been able to continue to travel through Victoria but have not been stopping with passengers for Victoria advised to use either Shudehill or Exchange Square as appropriate. TfGM have said that this change will be in place until “further notice”.
Not to be outdone there have also been problems on London Tramlink with the service suspended between Mitcham Junction and Reeves Corner. This was down to a gas leak on Purley Way near Waddon Marsh (following a car accident in icy conditions) which saw an exclusion zone – including the tramway – put in place. Tram tickets were accepted on local bus routes and a replacement bus service was in place calling at Reeves Corner, Waddon Marsh, Therapia Lane and Mitcham Junction.