Metrolink services to halt operation in Victoria and its environs.

• TfGM will halt operations in Victoria exchange till 21st January
• Tram service operators discover a cracked rail
• TfGM releases the changes to take effect during railway repairs

Transport for Greater Manchester has announced that trams will not operate on Saturday 20^th and Sunday 21^st January 2023 at Victoria and Exchange tram stops in Manchester due to railway repairs. 

This initiative follows in wake of service operators discovering 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 Peters square. temporary service changes were introduced to ensure services could continue to operate safely, primarily due to increased Derailment risk. 

In order to guarantee a safe operation of repairs, Metrolinks operator, Keolis Amey Metrolink (KAM) will disconnect the rail and install a temporary new section of rail with decreased crossing capability.

According to TfGM no trams will operate into Victoria from either Exchange Square or Market Street. This is to enable the successful operation of engineers on the field. 

These are the changes to take effect during this period 

• All trams from Bury and Rochdale will operate every 15 minutes to Victoria, with additional double trams on both lines 
• All trams from East Didsbury will operate to Exchange Square 
• Trams from Altrincham will operate to Piccadilly after 6:30 pm trams from Altrincham will operate to Etihad Campus via Piccadilly. 
• Trams from Trafford Centre will operate to Corn brook. 
• Trams from Manchester Airport will operate to Deansgate Castlefield. 

Services will return to normal from Monday 22^ndJanuary except for East Didsbury, Shaw, Crompton and Rochdale Town Centre, which will continue to operate via Market Street and shudehill 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 benefits

 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.”

Jerry Ricks, 48, said: ‘’I go to work on weekends so these new arrangements aren’t too favourable but I am fine it is for a better course.“

Passengers should check the latest tram departure times and TfGM’s travel https://tfgm.com/travel-updates f or updates and information