Salford commuters have been urged to plan their journeys ahead as key tram routes are set to close for essential upgrade work.
Several tram services will not operate at the end of May as the next stage of £150m worth of improvement works takes shape across Greater Manchester.
No trams will run between St Peter’s Square and Manchester Piccadilly Train Station from Monday 25 to Friday 29 May while work takes place to upgrade equipment that has been in place since the line opened in 1992, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) confirmed.
This means that commuters who use the Eccles line will not be able to travel directly past Deansgate Station to Manchester Piccadilly Station by tram for five days.
Salford journey makers can usually commute from stops including Eccles, Ladywell, Langworthy, Broadway, Media City, Harbour City and Salford Quays to Manchester city centre and Piccadilly Station, the city’s main rail hub.
Meanwhile, passengers travelling through Manchester Victoria station towards Rochdale will also be affected, with no trams running between Victoria and Rochdale town centre from Saturday 16 to Friday 29 May while tracks are replaced to improve the line’s safety and reliability.
Ahead of the work beginning, transport bosses have asked commuters to prepare in advance for the services being suspended at the end of the month.
Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “These improvements are part of our continued £150m investment to make our tram network safer, more reliable and more resilient for the long term.
“It’s a really big job, which means we have to close the line to get it done, but in the longer term, this will make a real difference to everyone that travels with us.
“We’d like to thank people for their patience while this essential work takes place. We’ll have replacement bus services in place, and our staff will be out across the network to help everyone make their journey as usual.
“I’d strongly encourage everyone travelling during this period to plan ahead, as some tram services will need to change while we carry out this essential work. The best way for customers to stay informed and plan their journey is by using the Bee Network website or app.”
Further information on tram improvement works can be found on the Bee Network website.
