The Manchester Metrolink section will be closed for 17 days

Essential track maintenance on the Manchester Metrolink tram system will close a section of line between Piccadilly and Piccadilly Gardens for 17 days from 22 June to 9 July.

The closure also means no trams will be able to run southbound on London Road between Store Street and Fairfield Street.

Trams will still run on the Ashton line, but will only run as far as Piccadilly station.

Customers wishing to continue their journey will need to take a transfer bus for the final leg to Piccadilly Gardens, while some of the younger and abler passengers may choose to walk up the steps between the two stations, which will take approximately 5 .minutes, the route will also be signposted.

The road and rail junction near Piccadilly station, where the tracks cross the road, also needs to be renewed.

London Road will therefore be closed to traffic departing from the city centre, which may cause further traffic congestion and longer journey times for motorists who will use the neighboring alternative roads along Fairfield Street, Store Street, Princess Street, Newton Street. and the inner ring road.

All diversions will be clearly signposted, taking motorists exiting central Manchester via Portland Street and Princess Street, with an alternative route via Store Street.

Some buses heading to areas of Greater Manchester that normally use London Road will also be diverted via Chorlton Street and Fairfield Street. This is to avoid crowding and overcrowding in buses and bus stops.

Once again, signs will be in place informing passengers which bus stops will be closed and where the next available open bus stop is.

During the first few days of the closure, staff will be on hand at the closed bus stops to assist passengers with travel and travel advice.

Cyclists will be required to follow detour signs, which could result in dismounting and following pedestrian-only routes in some areas.

The track replacement work in the Piccadilly area is being undertaken before the start of the school holidays at the end of July.

It is part of a wider program which will take place across the Metrolink system throughout the summer. These works help to keep Manchester’s trams safe, reliable and accessible, as well as ensuring a regular service.

“Thousands of journeys are made on Metrolink every weekday, which is why we are always working to keep passengers safe and Greater Manchester moving.

“During this essential work we will do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum, with bus replacement services and signed diversions for vehicles and pedestrians.

“Our control center has good CCTV coverage at both London road closure points and diversion routes – and we also have support from our road signaling team to ensure traffic flows in the city center as freely as possible.

“I would encourage customers to plan ahead – check our website for the latest travel information before they go – and allow plenty of time for their journeys.

Pete Sommers, TfGM’s Director of Metrolink