There is currently major trackwork taking place on Manchester Metrolink with a two month closure of the line between Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly. This is seeing new track laid in Piccadilly Gardens and on Aytoun Street, two areas which usually sees 20 trams every hour in each direction running. Keith Chadbourne recently took a look at recent progress.
The work is due to be completed on Sunday 10th August with a return to normal services from Monday 11th August. During the work services from Ashton and Etihad Campus are terminating at Piccadilly whilst trams from Eccles are running to Victoria and all trams on the Altrincham and Bury routes run direct between the two. That is apart from when Oasis are performing which sees a completely different service pattern (see other articles about that)!
New track has been laid at the top of Aytoun Street and in this view contractors are now pouring concrete to complete the work in this location.
This is the crossover on Aytoun Street with evidence of some work having already taken place.
The join between newly laid track and the existing track at Aytoun Street.
The track gauge is checked.
Work is underway across Portland Street as the tramway goes from the stop at Piccadilly Gardens (seen just beyond the yellow cement mixer) onto Aytoun Street. Recently poured concrete seems to have been put down. (All Photographs by Keith Chadbourne, 10th July 2025)