Inquiry into trams' near-collision

The trams were travelling on the Bury line

Two workers have been suspended after two trams almost crashed head-on in Manchester.

An investigation has begun into the near-accident, which happened at the Metrolink depot in Crumpsall on Friday afternoon.

The two trams were heading towards each other on the Bury line, but stopped before a collision.

It is believed that one of the trams had been travelling towards Bury and had just started moving again after changing drivers.

The second tram was returning to the depot and was moving slowly on the same track.

'Extremely concerned'

The drivers of the trams realised they were on a collision course and were able to stop safely.

Two controllers at Metrolink have now been suspended.

The Chairman of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority Roger Jones says he is "extremely concerned" by the incident.

Metrolink's first Greater Manchester route - from Bury to Manchester Victoria - opened in 1992.

It now runs on to Altrincham, with an Eccles extension was opened in 2000.

About 47,000 passenger journeys are made on the tram system every day.