Metrolink on track for return after revamp

NOT long now before the St Peter's Square stop becomes operational

METROLINK services are on track to return to Manchester's St Peter's Square at the end of August, after a multi-million pound transformation of the popular city centre tram stop.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is aiming to resume services through the square during the Bank Holiday weekend, subject to the successful completion of a thorough testing and commissioning process once construction work is complete.

At the same time, a full Eccles line service will be restored after extensive track replacement work to ensure the continued safe and reliable running of trams along the route for many years to come.

The upgrade means the return of the Shaw and Crompton to East Didsbury service (Monday to Friday 7.15am-7.30pm and Saturday 9.30am-6.30pm).

The train from Rochdale that comes through Oldham will continue to run to Exchange Square.

Other services planned to run from the end of August through to new link include:

*Altrincham-Bury (Monday to Friday 7.15am-7.30pm and Saturday 9.30am-6.30pm)

*Altrincham-Piccadilly

*East Didsbury-Victoria (Monday to Friday before 7.15am and after 7.30pm. Saturday before 9.30am and after 6.30pm. All day Sunday).

*MediaCityUKPiccadilly (Monday to Friday 7.15am-8pm and Saturday 9am-6pm only)

*Eccles-Ashton-under-Lyne via MediaCityUK

*Bury-Etihad Campus

*Manchester Airport-Cornbrook

*Firswood-Manchester Airport (3am-6am only)

*East Didsbury-Deansgate-Castlefield (Monday to Friday 7.15am-7.30pm and Saturday 9.30am-6.30pm only)

Peter Cushing, TfGM's Metrolink director, said: "We know there's a great deal of interest from our customers in what services will look like when the new St Peter's Square stop opens so I'm pleased to confirm the new service patterns now.

"There's a lot to achieve in the coming week as our contractor prepares to hand over the stop. We then hope to welcome our first passengers back to the vastly improved St Peter's Square stop over the Bank Holiday weekend."

The Metrolink works form part of the Grow programme, which will see more than £1 billion invested in city centre infrastructure improvements by 2017.