Huge overhaul of tram tracks

METROLINK trams will continue to run into the heart of Manchester city centre during a multi-million-pound overhaul of the track and stops.

Work to replace all the city centre track and extend certain lines will start on April 6.

GMPTE’s Metrolink director Philip Purdy, said: “Replacing every piece of tram track in the city centre is obviously a major undertaking and we’ve planned the work with passengers in mind.

“We’ll be carrying it out in as short a period a possible, with as little effect on services as we can manage.

“These improvements should lead to smoother, more reliable journeys and we’ll also be making some real improvements to the St Peter’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens stops.

“I’m very sensitive to the impact the work will have on passengers, as well as people who live and work in the city centre, and there will be a major information campaign to keep people informed.

“We’ve ordered 40 new trams and more than 200 new ticket machines, and are building four new tram lines too, so the Metrolink system really is going to be transformed over the coming few years.”

Over £100 million is being invested in upgrading the tram network. The first of the new-look Metrolink trams will arrive later this year.

The city centre track is the busiest on the network and trams will travel on it up to 400 times a day when the new Metrolink lines open over the next few years.