Metrolink services return to MediaCityUK

August 01, 2016Guest User

Metrolink services from Deansgate-Castlefield to MediaCityUK are returning on Monday 1 August.

For full details, including changes to the replacement bus services, please click here.

Metrolink Eccles line – next phases of rail maintenance works

July 04, 2016Guest User

A letter from TfGM.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing further to previous communications regarding the ongoing maintenance programme on the Eccles Metrolink Line.

For your reference and information, please find attached (click on links below to access) copies of letters due to be delivered on Monday (4 July) to residents and businesses nearest to the next phases of work. They provide details of where the work will take place, traffic management information and appropriate contact details.

1. Eccles line residents' letter phase 2 works 4 July 2016

2. Eccles line works - Colgate Lane (Exchange Quay) site maps

3. Eccles line works - Ladywell tram stop site maps

4. Eccles line works - Ordsall Lane site maps

5. Eccles line works - South Langworthy Road (Dallas Court-Dakota Ave) site maps

6. Eccles line works - Weaste tram stop site maps

As detailed in the letters, on-highway works are due to take place at Weaste tram stop, Eccles New Road, at the junction with Foster Street and Mode Wheel Road; South Langworthy Road, in the vicinity of Dallas Court and Dakota Avenue; and Ordsall Lane, between Craven Drive and Trafford Road, while off-highway work will be taking place at Anchorage Quay.

The letters makes reference to detailed maps (also attached) that show the location of the different phases of the work required at each on-highway site, the traffic management measures necessary for safe working and management of vehicles on the highway, and diversion routes (as appropriate). Also attached are site maps for the current on-highway works at Ladywell Metrolink stop and Colgate Lane, Exchange Quay.

Further information about the work we are doing along the Eccles line and at St Peter’s Square can be viewed or downloaded at www.transformationinformation.co.uk/summer-changes.

I would also like to take the opportunity to make you aware that Urban Vision is undertaking some re-surfacing of the highway in the area while the re-railing project is ongoing.

We’re committed to ensuring that people can still make their journeys during the engineering work and will continue to provide updates throughout the work.

Please feel free to pass this information on to anyone who you feel may benefit from it.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Cushing

Metrolink Director

Transport for Greater Mancheste

Summer services during Metrolink transformation work announced

June 15, 2016Guest User

A range of replacement bus services will run through Manchester city centre and along the Eccles via MediaCityUK Metrolink line during summer transformation work.

Click here for details of the three replacement bus services.

From Sunday 26 June to the end of August there will be changes to Metrolink services as the transformation work draws to a close at the new St Peter’s Square stop and essential track maintenance takes place along the Eccles line.

A combination of Metrolink and replacement bus services will ensure transport links across the tram network are maintained while there are no tram services through St Peter’s Square.

During the first phase, from Sunday 26 June to early August, the following bus services will run:

The X1 service will operate at peak times only (Monday to Friday, 7am-9.30am and 3.30pm- 8pm) calling at Piccadilly, Trafford Bar and Cornbrook.

The X2 service will operate all day (to first and last tram times) calling at Piccadilly and Deansgate-Castlefield and most stops along the Eccles via MediaCityUK line.

The X3 service will operate at peak times only (Monday to Friday, 7-10am and 3.30pm- 8pm) calling at Piccadilly, Trafford Bar, Cornbrook and MediaCityUK.

Bus services will depart approximately every ten minutes, together providing an enhanced service every five minutes between Piccadilly, Cornbrook and the MediaCityUK stop in peak hours.

Passengers will need to have a valid Metrolink ticket or pass before boarding the bus.

Replacement bus services will be continually monitored and reviewed to help ensure they meet customer needs.

Alternatively, there are facilities available to support people who choose to switch to cycling during the service changes. Secure, covered cycle parking with swipe card access is available at the 300-space MediaCityUK Cycle Hub and at Eccles Cycle Hub next to Eccles railway station. For more information and to register for the Cycle Hub membership scheme, see www.tfgm.com/cycling.

For detailed Metrolink and replacement bus service information please visit: www.transformationinformation.co.uk/summer-changes. Follow #tramchanges on Twitter and @MCRMetrolink and @OfficialTfGM for updates.

Peter Cushing, TfGM’s Metrolink Director, said: “It’s a big summer of change on Metrolink as we get ready to open the new St Peter’s Square tram stop and carry out essential track maintenance on the Eccles line.

“We’ve planned Metrolink and replacement bus services very carefully to make sure we’re providing good transport links right across the tram network. We’ll also be signposting and promoting a walking route through Manchester city centre.

“All the details are now available both online and across the tram network, leaving plenty of time to plan your journey before the changes start.”

TfGM has held a series of drop-in sessions to talk to people about the work. The final one will take place at Eccles Travelshop on Church Street on Saturday 18 June from 12.45pm-3pm.

TfGM will open a new, much larger stop in St Peter’s Square at the end of August. When the new Metrolink Second City Crossing opens next year it will allow more trams to run through the city, more often.

As finishing works take place at the new stop, Metrolink services through St Peter’s Square will be suspended from Sunday 26 June to the end of August, meaning no north/south cross-city tram services will operate.

During the same period, from Sunday 26 June, Metrolink operator MRDL will replace sections of track on the Eccles line, which is now 16 years old. Tram services are expected to resume between Deansgate-Castlefield and MediaCityUK in early August, with the full line reopening at the end of August.

Train services from Eccles and Patricroft rail stations to/from the city will operate as normal.

The Second City Crossing is part of GROW, which will see more than £1 billion invested in city centre infrastructure improvements by 2017. Find out more at www.manchester.gov.uk/grow.

For more information on Metrolink transformation work please visit www.transformationinformation.co.uk, email future.metrolink@tfgm.com or call 0161 244 1555 (office hours).

City Car Club is now Enterprise Car Club!

June 06, 2016Guest User

If you’re an existing City Car Club member, your reservation and payment processes will remain the same. You’ll already notice that Enterprise has a wider selection of cars and vans in new locations, and they plan to have more exciting changes in the future.

For further details on the Enterprise Car Club please click here .

Eccles Metrolink line to close for major summer repair work

June 03, 2016Guest User

A major track replacement programme will see the Eccles via MediaCityUK Metrolink line temporarily close this summer.

Some sections of track on the Eccles line are now showing significant wear, particularly on sections of curved rail situated within the highway.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has worked with Metrolink’s operator and maintainer, MRDL, to time the essential upgrades to coincide with final works at St Peter’s Square stop, when fewer people will be travelling due to the summer holiday period.

In order to complete the work as efficiently as possible, the Eccles line will close from Sunday 26 June, on the same date services will stop running through St Peter’s Square.

Eccles line services are expected to resume between Deansgate-Castlefield and MediaCityUK in early August, with the full line reopening at the end of August. Train services from Eccles and Patricroft rail stations to/from the city will operate as normal.

This summer will also see the final phase of work to build a new, much larger St Peter’s Square stop, set to open at the end of August.

Peter Cushing, TfGM Metrolink Director, said: “Unfortunately several sections of rail on the Eccles line are showing signs of significant wear.

“By replacing longer sections of track on the Eccles line now, the work will ensure a longer overall lifespan for the tram line in these areas and minimise the potential for future roadworks affecting all road users.

“To limit the impact on customers we’ve worked with Metrolink’s operator and maintainer, MRDL, to get this essential work done at the same time as St Peter’s Square works, with fewer passengers affected due to the quieter summer holiday period.

“A full bus replacement service will be in operation and we are speaking to residents and businesses right along the route to keep them fully informed of the work that is being done.

“While there will inevitably be some disruption, by coordinating and delivering both projects simultaneously we hope to minimise the overall impact this will have.”

As the final works to complete the St Peter’s Square stop will take place close to the track, Metrolink services through the square will be suspended from Sunday 26 June to the end of August, meaning no north/south cross-city tram services will operate.

Throughout the work, replacement bus services and signed walking routes will ensure customers have good access across and into Manchester city centre, with bus replacement services calling at key destinations along the Eccles line.

Peter added: “This is an exciting time for Metrolink with some historic changes on the way for St Peter’s Square. We’re just months away from opening up a new, much bigger stop that will be a game-changer for city centre services when the new Second City Crossing opens early next year.

“We can’t complete the stop without full access to the work site and, as we set out last year, that means no tram services through the square approximately nine weeks.

“Last summer we made similar changes to services so we’re confident we’ll provide the right mix of replacement bus services and information to support our customers through this time.

“Thanks once again to all our passengers for bearing with us as we work to improve the service we provide. I’m sure they’ll be impressed with the results at St Peter’s Square.”

The transformation of St Peter’s Square is part of a city centre stop improvement programme that has seen a new stop built at Exchange Square, multi-million pound revamps of Deansgate-Castlefield and Victoria stops, and improvements at Market Street stop.

The stop will have two new island style platforms and two sets of track in each direction, allowing more services to run through it on the existing lines and the new Second City Crossing.

The Second City Crossing and stop improvements programme is part of GROW, which will see more than £1 billion invested in city centre infrastructure improvements by 2017. Find out more at www.manchester.gov.uk/grow.