Rochdale trams to operate to Victoria only this weekend to allow for rail repairs

Metrolink services will be unable to operate between Victoria and Exchange Square tram stops in the centre of Manchester until further notice, while rail repairs are carried out.

Following the discovery of a cracked rail on the approach to Victoria station, which forms part of Metrolink’s Second City Crossing linking Victoria to Exchange Square and St Peter’s Square, temporary service changes were introduced to ensure services could continue to operate safely, predominantly due to the increased derailment risk.

Further investigation of the rail has found that more permanent repairs are currently not possible with the track in situ, due to the crack being close to a complex crossing between two tracks.

This means the section of track will have to be removed to establish whether it can be repaired or needs to be fully replaced, which could take several months to complete.

Over the coming weekend (Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 January) Metrolink operator KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) will remove the crossing and install a temporary new section of rail with decreased crossing capability to ensure the ongoing safe operation of the network.

Due to the work this weekend, all trams from Rochdale will stop at Victoria and go no further into Manchester - no trams will operate to or from Victoria from either Exchange Square or Shudehill to enable additional engineering works to take place. The following changes will be in place:

• All trams from Rochdale and Bury will operate every 15 minutes to Victoria, with additional double trams on both lines.
• All trams from Altrincham will operate to Piccadilly (after 6.30pm trams from Altrincham will operate to Etihad Campus via Piccadilly).
• All trams from East Didsbury will operate to Exchange Square.
• Trams from Manchester Airport will operate to Deansgate-Castlefield.
• Trams from the Trafford Centre will operate to Cornbrook.

Pre-planned service changes for other parts of the Metrolink network on Sunday – including a delayed launch of services in the morning due to work taking place at both depots – will also still take place.

From Monday 22 January, most services will return to normal except for services to/from Rochdale Town Centre and East Didsbury, which will continue to operate via Shudehill and Market Street until further notice.

Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said: “Providing a safe and reliable service for our customers is our number one priority, and that is why we acted quickly to put in place service changes.

“Unfortunately, the damage to the cracked rail and its location on a crossing means the job to repair it is complicated.

“While we currently have no clear timeframe for how long the work will take, everyone involved is fully committed to completing the works as quickly as possible for the benefit of our passengers.

“Metrolink passengers using services between East Didsbury and Rochdale will still be able to get through the city centre by going via Market Street and Shudehill and we will have staff on the ground to help anyone who needs it.”

Whilst service pattern changes are updated, on-stop passenger information displays at Market Street, Shudehill, Exchange Square and Victoria will be showing incorrect information. Passengers are urged to check the destination blinds on the trams for the correct information.

Passengers that normally use Exchange Square are advised to use the nearby Victoria stop. Customer service representatives will also be on-stop, including at Exchange Square to assist passengers while the works are carried out.

Before making a journey, please check the latest tram departure times and TfGM’s travel alerts hub for the latest information.