This article has been updated since original publication and also now includes photos.
Over running engineering work at Cornbrook caused major disruption for Manchester Metrolink on Monday 17th May with no trams able to run through the area for most of the day. With engineers on scene throughout the day trams were able to start running through Cornbrook shortly after 1800, although delays remained while the service reformed.
The engineering work at Cornbrook had been planned to take place over the weekend of 15th/16th May, just before the latest lockdown easing to try and ensure the Metrolink system was back to fine fettle with an expected increase in passengers – but obviously that may have been the plan but delays in the work meant it was unachievable.
In a statement released at 1450 on 17th May Metrolink said: “Due to a delay in the completion of engineering works near the Cornbrook stop, Metrolink services are disrupted. Work is continuing to return a full tram service as soon as possible, with engineers on site now, but services are not expected to start operating until late this afternoon at the earliest – and any delays could extend into the evening, depending on progress.” In the event it was not until 1800 that things started to return to normal
During the disruption it was not possible for any service to run on the Eccles or Trafford Park lines with no trams also running between Trafford Bar and St Peter’s Square.
An overview of services which could operate is as follows:
Eccles line – no service
Trafford Park line – no service
Airport line – Manchester Airport to Firswood
Altrincham line – Altrincham to Old Trafford
East Didsbury line – East Didsbury to Firswood
Bury line – Bury to Ashton-under-Lyne
Rochdale – Rochdale Town Centre to Exchange Square
A shuttle bus was running between Chorlton, Old Trafford, Trafford Bar and Piccadilly but there was no replacement bus service able to run on either the Eccles or Trafford Park lines. There was, however, ticket acceptance on both local bus and rail services.
During the disruption, Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said: “I’d like to apologise to all those impacted by the ongoing engineering works at Cornbrook. We are working closely with the contractor and Metrolink operator to get all services up and running again soon as possible, but it is likely that journeys into this evening will be affected. We have staff on the ground, a replacement bus service in operation and ticket acceptance on bus and train services to help people make their journey.”
Monday 17th May saw the unusual destination of Bury on trams running to Ashton. In this view we see 3123 at the Ashton-under-Lyne terminus showing the Bury destination.
And 3123 is seen again at Ashton West heading to Bury. (Both Photographs by Steve Hyde)