As from Monday 24th October there will be a temporary service change for Manchester Metrolink services through Piccadilly Gardens. No trams will be running between St Peter’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens as a result of a delay in the planned track repairs which had originally been due to take place this month. The change is necessary to allow the continued safe operation of services.
The temporary timetable will be in place until the end of November – when it is planned that the track works will now be able to take place. During this period the following services will run:
- Bury to Altrincham – No trams from either terminus will run to Piccadilly, instead they will all run Bury to Altrincham via Market Street. Every 6 minutes 0700 to 2000 Monday-Friday, 0900-1830 Saturday. Outside of these times it will be every 12 minutes.
- Ashton to Crumpsall – Trams from Ashton-under-Lyne will be diverted to and from Crumpsall and will not run via Deansgate-Castlefield to Eccles. Every 12 minutes with connections for passengers on the Altrincham and Bury lines to get to Piccadilly.
- Eccles to Deansgate-Castlefield – Trams will run every 12 minutes.
There will be no direct connection between Piccadilly Station and Deansgate-Castlefield by tram with a Metrolink replacement bus service in operation. Passengers are also able to use rail services between Deansgate and Piccadilly. Anyone who wishes to make onward tram connections to Piccadilly is advised they should change at Market Street.
All other tram services will run as normal.
The trackworks have been delayed because of issues with Metrolink’s rail supplier. No date has yet been publicly announced when they will be able to take place in Piccadilly Gardens but its expected to be at the end of November.
Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Metrolink Director, said: “These are unforeseen circumstances which are outside of our control, and I want to apologise for any inconvenience this causes to our customers. We will be doing everything we can to minimise disruptions to journeys and staff will be available at all affected stops to provide travel advice.”
I don’t see the point of the bus service, especially when we are constantly told there is a shortage of bus drivers, when it is possible to change at Market Street or use the train. That said the Metrolink website could be construed to mean only Eccles/MediaCity passengers can use the train.