The problem with the cracked rail at Victoria has led to more changes for Manchester Metrolink services with now no trams able to run between Victoria and Exchange Square on 2CC to allow full repairs to take place.
The cracked rail was first reported on Tuesday 16th January with TfGM announcing that a revised service would operate which would see services between Altrincham and Bury and from Manchester Airport to Victoria diverted via 2CC. However, just a day later and a further announcement said that it would not be possible to run any services from Victoria to Exchange Square.
In the latest statement it has been confirmed that the cracked rail which has been discovered is on the approach to Victoria, on the section of line from 2CC linking the line from Exchange Square to Victoria. After further investigations it was found that more permanent repairs would not be possible with the track in situ as the crack was close to a complex crossing between two tracks. This means that the section of track will have to be removed to establish whether it can be repaired or needs to be fully replaced – and this could now take several months to complete.
Over the weekend of Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st January, the crossing will be removed and a temporary new section of rail will be installed which will give decreased crossing capability to ensure the continued safe operation of the network.
This means that on Saturday 20th January the following service changes will be in place:
- Bury to Victoria
- Rochdale to Victoria
- Altrincham to Piccadilly (extended to Etihad Campus after 1830)
- East Didsbury to Exchange Square
- Manchester Airport to Deansgate-Castlefield
- The Trafford Centre to Cornbrook
Then on Sunday 21st January (with works taking place on the Ashton line), the following will run:
- Bury to Victoria
- Rochdale to Victoria
- Altrincham to Piccadilly Gardens
- Eccles via MediaCityUK to Piccadilly Gardens
- East Didsbury to Exchange Square
- Manchester Airport to Deansgate-Castlefield
- The Trafford Centre to Cornbrook
Monday 22nd January will see most services return to normal with the exception of services running between East Didsbury and Rochdale which will be diverted by 1CC (Market Street and Shudehill) until further notice.
Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said: “Providing a safe and reliable service for our customers is our number one priority, and that is why we acted quickly to put in place service changes. Unfortunately, the damage to the cracked rail and its location on a crossing means the job to repair it is complicated.
“While we currently have no clear timeframe for how long the work will take, everyone involved is fully committed to completing the works as quickly as possible for the benefit of our passengers.
“Metrolink passengers using services between East Didsbury and Rochdale will still be able to get through the city centre by going via Market Street and Shudehill and we will have staff on the ground to help anyone who needs it.”
Passengers are being asked to check the destinations on trams before boarding as the on platform displays at Market Street, Shudehill, Exchange Square and Victoria will be incorrect whilst the service pattern changes are updated.