Trams to be suspended in summer for city centre work

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chairman of the TfGM Committee

Manchester's cross-city tram services are being suspended throughout the summer due to the final phase of work on the St Peter's Square stop.

Metrolink services through the square will be stopped between Sunday 26 June and the end of August meaning no north/south trams will operate.

Tram services are expected to resume between Deansgate and Castlefield and MediaCityUK in early August, with the full line reopening at the end of August.

Transport for Greater Manchester say throughout the work, replacement bus services and signed walking routes will ensure customers have good access to the city and key destinations.

The St Peter Square stop is due to open in summer after a 14-month closure.

TfGM this week launched a campaign to prepare passengers for the final phase of transformation work at the St Peter's Square stop which will be a key destination on the new more frequently used Metrolink Second City Crossing which is currently under construction.

Peter Cushing, TfGM Metrolink director, said: "This is an exciting time for Metrolink with some historic changes on the way for St Peter's Square.

"We're just months away from opening up a new, much bigger stop that will be a game-changer for city centre services when the new Second City Crossing opens early next year.

"We can't complete the stop without full access to the work site and, as we set out last year, that means no tram services through the square for approximately nine weeks.

"Last summer we made similar changes to services so we're confident we'll provide the right mix of replacement bus services and information to support our customers through this time.

"Thanks once again to all our passengers for bearing with us as we work to improve the service we provide. I'm sure they'll be impressed with the results at St Peter's Square.

Full details on the closure's alternative travel arrangements will be announced soon.