Latest Rail News

25.04.16

All Metrolink services suspended after communications failure

Trams in Manchester came to a stop today (Monday 25 April) after a communications failure at the Old Trafford stop.

The fault occurred at about 11.30am and means that the network control room staff are not able to monitor tram movements or access information displays.

Metrolink RATP Dev trams have stopped on all eight routes until further notice while the operator and contractors work to identify the fault.

Peter Cushing, director of Metrolink, said: “All hands are to the pump and we are working a quickly as possible to identify and fix this fault.

“At the moment we are not clear on the cause and trams will not be operating until further notice.

“I'd like to apologise to all customers affected and want to reassure them that getting services up and running is our total priority alongside helping to get those currently on-board to their destination.”

Passengers are advised to monitor the Metrolink and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Twitter accounts or call customer relations staff on: 0161 205 2000.

Metrolink tickets are currently being accepted on Manchester bus services. For more information, click here.

5.20pm UPDATE

Trams are now running but delays are expected across the network for the rest of the evening.

Passengers can still use tram tickets on buses and Northern and Transpennine Express trains.

Cushing said: "It’s good news that the issue has been identified and resolved and I’d like to apologise to anyone who has been affected by today’s network issues.

“We are now concentrating on getting services back up and running as quickly as possible and we are aiming to restore a 12 minute service across all lines this evening.”

Comments

Andrew Gwilt   26/04/2016 at 22:55

Plus drivers who drive onto the tram line also cause delays to Metrolink services. It also happened at other cities including Birmingham, Sheffield, Blackpool, Croydon in South London and Edinburgh where tram tracks and roads to meet and there always has been problems with drivers not knowing that designated areas that are used for trams only are not designed for road drivers.

Kev   24/05/2016 at 21:35

The first day Midland Metro opened to Bull Street in Birmingham at least one car turned left at what is a 'crossing' and drove up the tramway!

Add your comment

related

Rail industry Focus

View all News

Comment

The challenge of completing Crossrail

05/07/2019The challenge of completing Crossrail

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at ho... more >
Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

04/07/2019Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

The move to decarbonise the rail network involves shifting to cleaner modes of traction by 2050. David Clarke, technical director at the Railway ... more >

'the sleepers' blog

On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

29/06/2020On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

Following an independent audit, Sulzer’s Nottingham Service Centre has been accepted as part of the rail industry supplier approval scheme (RISAS). The accreditation reinforces the high-quality standards that are maintained by Sulzer’s... more >
read more blog posts from 'the sleeper' >

Interviews

Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

24/06/2019Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, has told the Today programme on Radio 4's BBC’s flagship news programme that he would not rule out his organisation issuing future r... more >
Advancing the rail industry with management degree apprenticeships

08/05/2019Advancing the rail industry with management degree apprenticeships

In answering the pressing questions of how current and future generations of managers can provide solutions to high-profile infrastructure projects across the UK, Pearson Business School, part of... more >