Temporary service changes will be introduced on Metrolink this evening after a damaged piece of track was discovered in Manchester city centre, requiring emergency repairs.
Work to replace a section of rail on the outbound line at Deansgate-Castlefield will start at 6pm tonight (Tuesday 8th April).
Services are expected to run as normal tomorrow but passengers are advised to check before they travel.
Due to the complexity of the repairs, ongoing improvement work between Market Street and High Street/Church Street and the need to get trams to the depots after service, no trams will run on the Ashton or Trafford Park lines during this period.
A reduced service will operate between around 4.30pm and 7pm, with trams running every12-minutes on the following service pattern until the end of the day:
• Bury to Victoria
• Rochdale Town Centre to Exchange Square
• Altrincham to Deansgate-Castlefield
• East Didsbury to Deansgate-Castlefield
• Eccles to Cornbrook
• Airport to Firswood
Metrolink ticket acceptance will be in place from 4pm on Bee Network bus services to Ashton and the Trafford Centre, with passengers also able to use the Manchester city centre free bus (service 1) to reach Deansgate-Castlefield.
Ticket acceptance will also cover cross-city rail services to and from Deansgate-Castlefield, as well as trains operating from the city centre to Ashton, Altrincham, Eccles, Manchester Airport, and Rochdale.
All ticket acceptance will remain in place until 9am tomorrow. Tap and go customers are advised not to tap on when boarding services and inform the driver they are using it as a replacement service.
Ian Davies, TfGM’s Metrolink Network Director, said: “I am very sorry for the disruption this will cause, but the safety of our passengers and staff is our number one priority. That’s why we’ve moved quickly to put plans in place to repair the damaged rail as soon as possible. Our teams will work throughout the night with the aim of having services running again as normal tomorrow morning.
“In the meantime, there will be temporary service changes from this evening until the start of service tomorrow morning. I would urge anyone planning to travel on Metrolink during this time to plan ahead, check our social media channels and website for the latest information and advice.”
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