Passengers on the Bee Network’s Eccles, Trafford Centre and Altrincham tram lines are once again benefiting from normal services after a significant programme of track replacement work was delivered on time and within budget.
The engineering works, which took place between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield, represented one of the most extensive track renewal projects undertaken on the Metrolink network in recent years. Services resumed on Monday 3 August following the successful completion of the planned three-week blockade.
The project forms part of a wider £150 million investment programme aimed at maintaining, upgrading and future-proofing Greater Manchester’s tram network through to 2027.
Engineers spent much of July replacing approximately 1.6km of track on a strategically important section of the network. The route between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield is one of the busiest and most operationally complex areas of Metrolink, where multiple tram corridors converge.
Work included the renewal of ageing track infrastructure, sleepers and drainage systems to improve long-term performance and reliability. The scale of the project also saw specialist lifting equipment deployed for the first time in the UK, underlining the complexity of the engineering challenge.
In addition to the main works, a curved section of track on the Eccles line was upgraded, while station improvements, tram maintenance activities and deep cleaning programmes were carried out during the reduced service period.
The investment will allow Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to remove several temporary speed restrictions, increasing operating speeds on affected sections from 5mph to 20mph and helping to deliver a more efficient and reliable service for passengers.
Further works are scheduled for Sunday 9 August, with engineers returning to the same section of track for follow-on activities during part of the day.
Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said:
“This was the biggest track upgrade project we’ve done for years and will make the tram network more reliable, resilient and safe for years to come. It also allows us to lift the speed restrictions in place on some sections from 5mph to 20mph.
“This was a large and complex piece of engineering on one of the busiest sections of light rail in Europe, and the only way we could do it was by closing some of the lines for three weeks.
“A massive thank you to passengers for their patience. We know people have had to make alternative travel plans over the last few weeks, but we’re ready to welcome people back on to our trams.
“We’ve listened carefully to passengers throughout the closure, in particular about the reliability of our replacement buses. We’ll take on board the feedback for the next phases of work."
The completed works mark another significant milestone in TfGM’s ongoing efforts to modernise and maintain the UK’s largest light rail network, ensuring it can continue to meet growing passenger demand while supporting the region’s wider transport ambitions.
Image credits: Transport for Greater Manchester
