06.03.09
Multimillion-pound Metrolink upgrades on the way
Metrolink passengers will still be able to take the tram into the heart of Manchester city centre during a multimillion-pound overhaul of the track and stops later this year.
Transport bosses at Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) have announced plans for the next stage of work to replace all the city centre tram track, which will start on 6 April.
The track will be replaced a section at a time so that, for the first time during city centre improvement works, passengers on the Altrincham and Eccles lines will be able to travel by tram beyond the G-Mex stop through to St Peter’s Square.
Passengers on the Bury line will be able to travel in as far as Market Street. GMPTE’s Metrolink Director Philip Purdy, said: “Replacing every piece of tram track in the city centre is obviously a major undertaking and we’ve planned the work with passengers in mind.
“We’ll be carrying it out in as short a period a possible, with as little effect on services as we can manage."
“These improvements should lead to smoother, more reliable journeys and we’ll also be making some real improvements to the St Peter’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens stops."
“I’m very sensitive to the impact the work will have on passengers, as well as people who live and work in the city centre, and there will be a major information campaign soon to keep everyone informed."
“We’ve ordered 40 new trams and more than 200 new ticket machines, and are building four new tram lines too, so the Metrolink system really is going to be transformed over the coming few years.”
Over eight weeks last year, all the track between Piccadilly rail station and Portland Street was replaced – and the Piccadilly stop was completely refurbished – on time and on budget.
The remaining track replacement work will take place through to mid-September. Information will be made available at key stages throughout the project.
Transport bosses are writing to all city centre residents and businesses and a major information campaign will be launched next month to keep people informed about the work.
Plans are being made for bus links between the Victoria, Piccadilly and G-Mex stops. Pedestrian routes from St Peter’s Square, G-Mex and Victoria will be clearly signposted for passengers who prefer to walk to their destination.
Over £100 million is being invested in upgrading the tram network. The first of the new-look Metrolink trams will arrive later this year and undergo testing and driver training before being brought into service.
The city centre track is the busiest on the network and trams will travel on it up to 400 times a day when the four new Metrolink lines open over the next few years.
GMPTE is overseeing a £600 million expansion of the Metrolink network to Oldham and Rochdale, East Manchester and Droylsden, Chorlton and MediaCityUK.
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