Metrolink passengers will still be able to get to their destinations during the Altrincham and Eccles line closures in August.
That's the message that transport bosses are telling passengers as GMPTE launches an information campaign revealing plans for replacement bus services.
The Metrolink lines to Altrincham and Eccles will close from 1 August and reopen on 1 September so that connections to the new tram lines can be built as part of the multimillion-pound Metrolink expansion.
Philip Purdy, GMPTE's Metrolink Director, said: ’We’re going to be doing a lot of work during the closure, and not just on the connections to the new lines. We’ll be replacing the overhead electrical cable on the Altrincham line, carrying out some other essential engineering work, and sprucing up the stops too.
’But we really want to make sure that passengers are still able to get to where they want to go, as quickly and easily as possible. We’ll be running frequent buses between all stops and there will be a simplified fare structure for tickets bought on the affected lines.
’Passengers will have the choice of buying a single ticket or a day pass on the replacement buses. Singles start at just 80p for a city centre trip and a single from Dane Road to the city centre for example will be just £2. A day pass for all stops on the Altrincham line will be £3.50.’
Information about all bus replacement services will be available at every affected Metrolink stop before the closures in August. GMPTE will also hand out more than 100,000 leaflets to passengers throughout July.
New connections will be built at the Trafford Bar stop to link up with the tram line now under construction to Chorlton, and the new Trafford tram depot.
A junction will also be built between the Harbour City and Broadway stops on the Eccles line to allow trams to join up with the new spur to MediaCityUK from summer next year - doubling the frequency of trams between Salford Quays and Manchester.
At Cornbrook, the track layout will be extensively remodelled to accommodate the new MediaCityUK tram service and to provide greater operational flexibility and service availability.
There will be essential upgrade work to replace all the overhead electrical cables and some supporting structures on the Altrincham line, and a range of improvements will be made to the stops on the line.
Replacement buses will run between Altrincham and Manchester, and Eccles and Manchester every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday until 7pm and every 15 minutes at all other times. There will also be an additional supplementary service from Brooklands to Manchester. All services will run during normal tram operating times.
GMPTE will be holding a number of drop-in sessions in July for members of the public to find out more about the improvements and alternative arrangements.
For more information go to www.metrolink.co.uk or call Metrolink Customer Services on 0161 205 2000. Lines are open between 7am and 11pm, Monday to Friday, and between 10am and 6pm at weekends.
Metrolink will be holding the following drop-in sessions for members of the public to come and find out more about the work in their area:
All Souls RC Primary School, Kintyre Av, Salford, Lancashire, M5 5NR: Mon 20/07/2009, 5.30 - 7.30pm
Victoria Park Junior School, Henshaw St, Stretford, Trafford, M32: Tue 21/07/2009, 6.15 - 7.30pm
St Mary's Church, Park St, Swinton, Manchester, M27 4UR: Wed 22/07/2009, 5.30 - 7.30pm
Park Road Primary School, Frieston Rd, Timperley WA14: Thu 23/07/2009, 5.30 - 7.30pm
Lowry outlet mall, management suite, Level 3 of the Multi-Storey Car Park, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AH: Mon 27/07/2009, 12.00 - 2.00pm
Pavilion Lodge, 10 Edgbaston Dr, Urmston, Manchester, Lancashire M16: Mon 27/07/2009, 5.30 - 7.30pm
LA Fitness, Washway Road, Sale, M33 7QY: Tue 28/07/2009, 5.30 - 7.30pm
Altrincham library ground floor meeting room, 20 Stamford New Rd, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1EJ: Thu 30/07/2009, 5.15 - 7.00pm
For further press information please contact:
Email: customerservices@metrolink.co.uk
