Manchester Metrolink major track and lift replacement programme

From 13 July to 2 August upgrades to Transport for Greater Manchester Metrolink tramway will replace around 1.6km of track (parts of which re more than 30 years old) at Trafford Bar and Deansgate–Castlefield, as well as working on a separate section of the Eccles line at the same time. The track between Trafford Bar and St Peter’s Square is one of the busiest sections of tramway in the world, with trams passing through every 30 seconds for 20 hours/day. While work is being carried out no trams will run on the Eccles, Trafford Centre and Altrincham lines. Services on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines will terminate at Firswood, while services on the Rochdale line will terminate at Exchange Square. Replacement buses will be provided, with special services for the cricket at Old Trafford on 26 and 31 July. Work will also take place at Eccles and in the city centre around Piccadilly gardens using this closure (13-29 July). 

 

The three-week closure forms part of an ongoing programme of investment to maintain, upgrade and improve 6km of Metrolink. Backed by almost £150 million of investment through to 2027, the programme will ensure Greater Manchester’s tram network remains safe, reliable and resilient for years to come. More than 3,000 tonnes of new rail and 800 new concrete sleepers will be fitted as part of the scheme, with a team of 70 engineers working across three sites throughout the summer to get the work done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Such is the complexity of the work required where the Eccles and Altrincham lines meet at Cornbrook, it will be the first time a type of specialist lifting equipment has been used in the UK.  

 

The innovative Genesis Panel Lifters will help engineers work more efficiently and support delivery of the programme within planned timescales. Alongside this work, a separate £1.7 million investment will fund the replacement of eight ageing lifts at tram stops across the network over the coming months. The first lifts to be replaced will be at Heaton Park (from 29 July 2026) and Failsworth (from 3 August 2026), with further work planned at Hollinwood, Freehold, Dane Road, Brooklands, Chorlton and Firswood. Each lift replacement is expected to take around four to eight weeks, during which time the affected lift will be out of service. 

 

Ian Davies, Network Director for Metrolink said, 'The work at Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield is taking place on one of the busiest stretches of tram track in the country. Some sections are more than 30 years old, with 40-tonne trams running every 30 seconds at peak times - that level wear and tear takes its toll, which is why this work is so important. It’s one of the most complex parts of the network to access, requiring a carefully planned approach to carry out the work safely and efficiently. These upgrades will also help us reduce journey times and make services more reliable for passengers. At the same time, we’re taking the opportunity to service our trams, helping to improve reliability when services resume. We’re also replacing lifts at a number of stops to provide more dependable step-free access. We’re sorry for the disruption. We know it can be annoying, and while these essential upgrades take place we will do everything we can to keep people moving’