The major engineering works which have seen significant changes to Manchester Metrolink services over the past three weeks have come to an end with normal services resuming across the network on Monday 3rd August 2026. The works included 1.6km of track replaced between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield whilst at the same time work was completed on the Eccles line and in Manchester City Centre.
The project saw ageing track, sleepers and drainage replaced on a key section of the network which is described as one of the busiest sections of tramway anywhere in Europe. Specialist lifting equipment was utilised for the first time in the UK which helped the work to be completed both on time and within budget.
Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “This was the biggest track upgrade project we’ve done for years and will make the tram network more reliable, resilient and safe for years to come. It also allows us to lift the speed restrictions in place on some sections from 5mph to 20mph.
“This was a large and complex piece of engineering on one of the busiest sections of light rail in Europe, and the only way we could do it was by closing some of the lines for three weeks.
“A massive thank you to passengers for their patience. We know people have had to make alternative travel plans over the last few weeks, but we’re ready to welcome people back on to our trams.
“We’ve listened carefully to passengers throughout the closure, in particular about the reliability of our replacement buses. We’ll take on board the feedback for the next phases of work.”
With fewer trams being needed to operate the revised service during the works, the opportunity was also taken to carry out deep cleaning and maintenance work on both the extensive fleet of M5000 trams and at stops.
Although this phase of work is completed there will be more to come over the next few months – all being part of the £150m investment going towards maintenance, upgrades and improvements to the network through to 2027.
This will include:
Oldham and Rochdale line
- Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August: no trams between Victoria and Rochdale Town Centre
- Monday 17th to Friday 28th August: no trams between Oldham Mumps and Rochdale Town Centre
Manchester Town Hall works
- Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August to allow work to take place on Manchester Town Hall no trams will operate via Exchange Square with services from East Didsbury being terminated at Deansgate-Castlefield and services from The Trafford Centre operating via Market Street.
Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar
- Follow-up work will take place on Sunday 6th September
- A second phase of track replacement work will take place between Monday 19th October and Sunday 1st November with no trams on the Eccles, Trafford Centre and Altrincham lines again.
There are also a whole host of other works due to take place – full details at https://tfgm.com/tram-improvement-works
During the recent works, Exchange Square was the terminus for trams coming from Rochdale. This shows 3095 arriving at the stop.
Exchange Square stop with 3090 waiting to depart back onto the Rochdale line.
Upon arrival at Exchange Square, trams terminate and then move forward to use the crossover to the west of the stop. 3095 shows us the move over the crossover.
Work took place on the ramp alongside Manchester Central with the outbound line being attended to alongside a set of transition joints at the bottom of the ramp on the inbound line.
Another view on the ramp showing the ongoing track replacement.
Meanwhile, at Deansgate-Castlefield the inbound curve has already been replaced and it looks as if preparations are underway for the outbound curve to also be worked on. (All Photographs by Steve Hyde, 28th July 2026)