Trams out for a week for final prep

TESTING the tracks . . . at the new Oldham Central stop

FINAL preparations to bring Oldham’s long-awaited town-centre Metrolink 3B line into service will see closures on the former Oldham loop line and surrounding roads.

A week-long line closure starts on Saturday as the new permanent line is switched into use.

The Metrolink line will be closed between Central Park and Rochdale Railway Station for nine days, replaced by buses.

Roads around Oldham Mumps junction will be closed from 9pm tomorrow until 3pm on Saturday to allow overhead line equipment and poles to be permanently removed. Diversions are in place.

The new line will be fully operational from January 27, weather permittng — months ahead of schedule - ending almost three and a half years of disruption, frustration and delays.

Peter Cushing, TfGM’s Metrolink director, said: “It’s great to now be entering the very final phase of the project.”