Passengers across Greater Manchester are once again benefiting from full Bee Network tram services after a significant programme of engineering and renewal works was completed on schedule.
Services resumed this morning on the Altrincham, Eccles and Trafford Park lines following the successful completion of extensive track replacement works between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield, one of the most heavily used sections of the Metrolink network.
The planned closure, which ran from 19 October to 1 November, also enabled maintenance and renewal works to be carried out on the Eccles line and across parts of Manchester city centre.
The engineering programme forms part of Transport for Greater Manchester's ongoing investment strategy to maintain and modernise the Metrolink network, ensuring the system remains safe, reliable and resilient as passenger demand continues to grow.
Engineers replaced approximately four kilometres of track in a strategically important section of the network where five Metrolink routes converge. The area experiences some of the highest tram movements on the network, with services passing through every 30 seconds during peak periods.
The infrastructure improvements will allow additional speed restrictions to be removed, delivering shorter journey times, smoother rides and improved operational reliability. TfGM estimates that around 100,000 passenger journeys each day are already benefiting from journey time improvements introduced through earlier phases of the upgrade programme.
While normal services have resumed, some temporary routing changes through Manchester city centre will remain in place between 2 and 4 November while final engineering checks are completed at Piccadilly Gardens. During this period, Bury-Altrincham and Victoria-Manchester Airport services will operate via Exchange Square rather than Market Street.
Ian Davies, Network Director for Metrolink at TfGM, said:
"This was an essential piece of engineering work on one of the busiest parts of our tram network and will help keep services safe, reliable and fit for the future.
"We're sorry for the disruption and I'd like to thank passengers, residents and businesses for their patience while we got on with the job.
"The upgrades mean customers will benefit from smoother journeys and allow us to lift further speed restrictions on this section of the network. It will help speed up our journeys and improve reliability for everyone who uses our network.
"Completing work of this scale on time is a significant achievement and I'd like to thank everyone involved for getting it done safely and efficiently."
The completion of the project marks another milestone in Greater Manchester's wider transport modernisation programme, supporting the long-term performance of the UK's largest light rail network and helping to improve reliability for both passengers and operators.
Image credit: TfGM
