City centre trams stops to close

City centre tracks are wearing out, Metrolink says

Commuters who use Manchester's tram network face disruption as two city centre stops have been closed.

Engineers are ripping up and replacing worn out track at Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly railway station.

It means trams between Altrincham and Bury will bypass the two stops, while Eccles line trams will finish at Victoria station.

Free shuttle buses will run between Piccadilly Station and Market street during the eight-week project.

'Bear with us'

Metrolink trams travel over some sections of the city centre tracks, which are about 16 years old, more than 250 times a day.

Philip Purdy, Metrolink director, said the city centre section had reached the end of its life and really needed to be replaced.

"We'll be putting on shuttle buses while the work takes place but there will obviously be some inconvenience for passengers," said Mr Purdy.

"There's never a good time to do this but there is an opportunity to do it now before Christmas, before the city gets very busy.

"I hope passengers will bear with us while this essential work is carried out."

The tram stops will close on Saturday and should reopen at the end of November.