Next phase of £150m tram improvements get underway this month

The next phase of a £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network gets underway this May.

Boses say that essential track replacement work will make the network safer, more resilient and reliable for years to come, with commuters encouraged to plan their journeys ahead while work is carried out.

There will be no trams between Victoria and Rochdale town centre for two weeks, from Sat 16 May – Fri 29 May. This is due to improvement work taking place on the Oldham-Rochdale line.

The work is being carried out between Monsall and Newton Heath & Moston and will involve replacing sections of track and improving drainage along the route. Some areas of the track foundation will also be replaced where needed.

The complex project is expected to require 290 new concrete sleepers and 2,000 tonnes of pea gravel, while replacing over 5,000 tonnes of ballast.  Once completed, some speed restrictions currently in place for safety reasons will be able to be lifted.

Trams to East Didsbury will start from Exchange Square, and a bus replacement service will be in place between Victoria and Rochdale Town Centre. Frequent Bee Network bus services also call at the bus stops near each tram stop. Tram tickets will only be accepted on the replacement bus, not on numbered bus services.

During the work, customers buying tickets at Monsall tram stop will need to access the platforms via Ruislip Avenue or Upper Monsall Street, as it will not be possible to cross the tracks. Step‑free access to the Manchester‑bound platform will be available via the lift only while the work is taking place. Step-free access to the Rochdale-bound platform is unaffected.

Work at Derker

To minimise disruption, work at Derker will also take place at the same. The track was made safe following a landslip in summer 2024. Now, a longer-term solution will see teams drive steel sheets into the ground to hold it in place and prevent further movement. Further work will be needed later in the year to complete the job.

Piccadilly Gardens improvement work

From Mon 25 May – Fri 29 May, improvement work will take place at Piccadilly Gardens, updating equipment that has been in place since the line opened in 1992. No trams will run between St Peter’s Square/Market Street and Piccadilly during this time.

Customers may need to change trams, take a short walk or use a free bus to continue their journey. Tram services will resume from the start of service on Sat 30 May.

Services will run every 15 minutes as follows:

• Exchange Square – East Didsbury (7.5 minute frequency during peak times)
• Bury – Altrincham (7.5 minute frequency during peak times)
• Manchester Airport – Victoria (via Market Street)
• Deansgate-Castlefield – Eccles (via MediaCityUK)
• Trafford Centre – Crumpsall (via Market Street)
• Piccadilly – Ashton-under-Lyne

Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “These improvements are part of our continued £150m investment to make our tram network safer, more reliable and more resilient for the long term.

“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.

“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 best way for customers to stay informed and plan their journey is by using the Bee Network website or app.”

For further information, see the dedicated tram improvement works page on the Bee Network website.