NO trams to operate between major city centre stops 'until further notice'
17.01.2024 - 17:57
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
No trams will operate between two major city centre stops 'until further notice', it has been announced. Metrolink services will not be running between Victoria and Exchange Square due to 'complicated' rail repairs.
Engineers recently discovered a cracked rail on the approach to Victoria station, which forms part of a crossing linking Victoria to Exchange Square and St Peter’s Square. Initially, temporary service changes were introduced so that trams could continue to operate safely.
However, further investigation of the rail has revealed that more permanent repairs are not possible with the track in situ, due to the crack being close to a crossing between two tracks, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said.
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The section of track will now have to be removed to establish whether it can be repaired or needs to be fully replaced, which could take several months to complete.
Over the coming weekend (January 20 and 21), Metrolink operator KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) will remove the crossing and install a temporary new section of rail.t
From the start of service on Saturday (January 20), no trams will operate into Victoria from either Exchange Square or Market Street and Shudehill to enable additional engineering works to take place. The following changes will be in place:
Pre-planned service changes for other parts of the Metrolink network on Sunday (January 21) – including a delayed launch of services in the morning due to work taking place at both depots – will also still take place.
As a result of both the planned works and additional works at Victoria, there will be changes for trams to Altrincham, Bury, East Didsbury, Rochdale, Eccles, Manchester