This weekend (15th and 16th November) will see disruption to Manchester Metrolink services through Deansgate-Castlefield with work continuing on the major transformation works at this key stop of the network. All lines will be closed through Deansgate-Castlefield throughout the weekend to allow the overhead line to be installed over the loop line on the new inbound platform (the left hand side in direction of travel).
As a result of the closure services from Eccles, MediaCityUK, Altrincham, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport will be terminated at Cornbrook with a replacement bus service put into place between Trafford Bar and Piccadilly.
Peter Cushing, Transport for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink Director, said: “We don’t undertake a weekend stop closure lightly – especially at this time of year – but these are essential works that can only be carried out safely under a full stop closure when trams are not running. It’s essential we do this work now to remain on schedule to finish improvements at Deansgate-Castlefield next summer, so we can move on to the next phase of Metrolink upgrades at St Peter’s Square. There are no more planned Metrolink improvement works that will affect services in the city centre until the new year. I thank customers for bearing with as we work to ensure their tram network can continue to expand and grow and we can run the increased service people want.”
As well as the installation of the overhead work will also be undertaken on “improving” the tracks through the stop.
It is planned that all work at Deansgate-Castlefield will be completed by summer 2015. Once the stop is fully re-opened it will be possible for services to be turned from either direction giving more operational flexibility.
Once the Deansgate/Knott Mill stop has a loop, it would be desirable for the Airport service to be extended there to provide a city centre terminus and enhance its use. Passengers can interchange there for the free city centre circular buses. If this is not done, passengers from Wythenshawe wishing to travel to the city centre are likely to continue to use the Princess Road bus services 101 to 109, which are more direct.
The new tram route is roundabout compared to that originally planned in the late 1920’s and half-completed (to Southern Cemetery) as route 44 (subsequently the original number of the 109 bus route to Baguley Sanatorium – now UHSM) before the volte face in transport policy following the appointment of a new transport manager (Pilcher) in 1929. The Mauldeth Road West/Hardy Lane route used by the new tramway was planned as a tramway to Sale, but never built.
I suspect that the airport line is being turned back at Cornbrook to relieve pressure at Deansgate during the St Peters Square closure
When I went on the airport line passengers seemed quite happy changing at Cornbrook and this including passengers joining at Chorlton who had a through tram right behind!
Message posted on behalf of freel07 who is having problems posting comments:
As Roger says in his comment lack of capacity at Deansgate Castlefield during the work in St Peters Square will probably enforce continued termination of the Airport trams at Cornbrook unfortunately. This is a consequence of the line opening ahead of schedule. TfGM will have been faced with the dilemma of whether to leave the new line unused until 2CC is ready or open it partially to get some revenue in.
Yes the main bulk of Wythenshawe will use buses to town but those from Baguley to Northern Moor stop will use the tram. I used to live around the corner from the Wythenshawe Park stop in Northern Moor and the tram will be much more convenient the 109 takes 34 minutes from there to town, so not much in it.
For those unaware Wythenshawe is an estate of over 100,000 built on Cheshire land by Manchester Corporation from the late twenties onwards.