Caution urged as car driven onto Metrolink tracks for third time in four days

Motorists are being reminded to drive with caution when approaching junctions that intersect with the Metrolink tram network.

Last night, Wednesday 13 January 2016, services on the Ashton line were affected for about two-and-a-half hours after a car drove onto the tracks near to the Holt Town tram stop.

The incident, the third in four days at that location, caused delays to commuters as well as fans travelling to the Etihad Stadium for Manchester City’s match with Everton.

Arrangements were made for passengers to use their tickets and passes on local commercial bus services to help them to complete their journey while the car was recovered.

Although the signs and road markings in place at the stop – and across the network – are based on industry-standard principles and best practice, meet all legislative guidelines and follow a thorough process of hazard and risk assessment involving the police and local authorities, the stop is currently being assessed by the operator, RATP Dev.

This assessment started prior to the recent incidents and is currently ongoing.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink Director, Peter Cushing, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating when things like this happen, not least for those passengers whose journey was delayed and who arrived home late, to the match or elsewhere.

“Considering how busy the roads on the network are, and how many cars use them on any given day, it is obvious that the vast majority of motorists are able to navigate these junctions without incident.

“That said, it would be remiss not to acknowledge that this is an issue for some drivers and regardless of how small that percentage is, each time a car drives onto the tracks there is a ripple effect that impacts other motorists, passengers and staff. As a belt and braces approach the operator is in the process of doing a thorough assessment at the location.”

More information on Metrolink is available at www.metrolink.co.uk or by calling Metrolink Customer Services on 0161 205 2000. Follow @MCRMetrolink on Twitter for news and live travel updates.