The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) have announced that they have discontinued their investigation into the derailment of a tram on the approach to Piccadilly Station. They have made the decision as they believe that there are only localised safety learning to be gained from the incident.
The slow speed derailment took place at around 1339 on 5th April 2026 when a double tram travelling from Ashton to Bury was approaching Piccadilly tramstop. The service was travelling at around 8mph (13kmh) when one wheelset derailed. This was the left-hand wheelset of the rear bogie of the leading tram, which came off the rails after its left-hand climbed up and over the running rail. The driver was not aware of the derailment and the tram continued into the stop where passengers were able to alight.
No injuries were reported and there was only minor damage to tram and infrastructure.
The RAIB have determined during the early stages of their investigation that:
- The safety learning to be gained from the derailment will likely relate to low-speed operation of trams on tight curves in high wheel-rail adhesion conditions and probably be localised to Manchester Metrolink
- The speed limit of the approach to the tramstop meant the consequences were low and are unlikely to be significantly worse in similar circumstances
- KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) is already taking action to understand and then address the factors that led to this derailment. This includes commissioning a vehicle dynamics study by a university to understand the derailment mechanism and to identify the factors that contributed to the derailment occurring.
The fact that there were only limited consequences of the derailment is one of the reasons that the RAIB have decided that there is no need for the investigation to take place. An industry review can take place instead, and if necessary following this a further RAIB investigation could be instigated.