Major £150m Investment Programme Begins on Greater Manchester Metrolink Network

A major new phase of investment worth £150 million is set to begin on Greater Manchester’s Metrolink network later this month as Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) launches extensive infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving safety, reliability and long-term resilience across the tram system.

The latest programme of works will include significant track replacement and drainage improvements on the Oldham-Rochdale line, resulting in temporary service changes and line closures between Saturday 16 May and Friday 29 May.

During the closure period, no tram services will operate between Victoria and Rochdale Town Centre while engineers carry out essential renewal works between Monsall and Newton Heath & Moston.

The project will involve replacing sections of track, upgrading drainage systems, renewing foundations and correcting track alignment and levels to improve ride quality and network performance.

TfGM said the scale of the work is substantial, requiring:

• 290 new concrete sleepers

• More than 2,000 tonnes of pea gravel

• Replacement of over 5,000 tonnes of ballast

Once complete, the upgrades are expected to deliver smoother journeys, improved reliability and allow the removal of several speed restrictions currently in place for safety reasons.

Additional Stabilisation Works at Derker

Alongside the track replacement programme, further engineering works will also take place at Derker following a landslip that affected the route during summer 2024.

While temporary repairs previously stabilised the area, contractors will now install steel sheet piling to provide a longer-term solution and prevent further ground movement. TfGM confirmed additional follow-up works will take place later in the year.

Piccadilly Gardens Upgrade Planned

A second phase of improvement works will also affect services between Monday 25 May and Friday 29 May, when equipment at Piccadilly Gardens dating back to the original opening of the line in 1992 will be upgraded.

During this period, no tram services will run between St Peter’s Square/Market Street and Piccadilly.

Passengers will instead be required to change trams, walk between stops or use free bus services before normal operations resume on Saturday 30 May.

Temporary Service Changes

TfGM has confirmed revised service patterns during the engineering works, including:

• Exchange Square – East Didsbury

• Bury – Altrincham

• Manchester Airport – Victoria (via Market Street)

• Deansgate-Castlefield – Eccles (via MediaCityUK)

• Trafford Centre – Crumpsall (via Market Street)

• Piccadilly – Ashton-under-Lyne

Replacement bus services will operate between Victoria and Rochdale Town Centre, while Bee Network bus services will continue serving stops close to tram stations along the affected route.

TfGM confirmed tram tickets will only be accepted on the official replacement bus services and not on standard numbered bus routes.

TfGM: Investment Essential for Long-Term Reliability

Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said the work forms part of a long-term strategy to modernise and futureproof the network.

“These improvements are part of our continued £150 million investment to make our tram network safer, more reliable and more resilient for the long term,” he said.

“It’s a really big job, which means we have to close the line to get it done, but in the longer term this will make a real difference to everyone that travels with us.”

Davies also thanked passengers for their patience and encouraged customers to plan journeys carefully during the disruption.

“We’d like to thank people for their patience while this essential work takes place. We’ll have replacement bus services in place, and our staff will be out across the network to help everyone make their journey as usual.

“I’d strongly encourage everyone travelling during this period to plan ahead, as some tram services will need to change while we carry out this essential work.”

The latest investment programme forms part of wider efforts to modernise Greater Manchester’s public transport infrastructure as the Bee Network continues to expand under the city-region’s integrated transport strategy.