From this Monday 13 July the Altrincham line will shut for three weeks – until Sunday 2 August – while Metrolink carries out improvement works at Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar.
Here's how to keep moving while the trams are off.
When exactly is the line closed?
No trams will run on the Altrincham line from the start of service on Monday 13 July until the end of service on Sunday 2 August. Trams return to normal from the start of service on Monday 3 August.
Note one more date for your diary: on Sunday 9 August, the line will close again from the start of service until 2pm for further works at the same two stops, before reopening for the rest of the day.
The Eccles and Trafford Centre lines will also be closed during the three-week period, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport services will terminate at Firswood, and Rochdale line services will terminate at Exchange Square.
How do I get into Manchester?
A replacement bus will run between Altrincham and Piccadilly, calling at the affected stops along the line.
Monday to Saturday:
- Every 7.5 minutes from 6am to 8pm
- Every 30 minutes from 8pm until end of service
Sunday:
- Every 15 minutes from 7am to 8pm
- Every 30 minutes from 8pm until end of service
Your tram ticket will be accepted on the replacement bus. It will not be accepted on regular numbered bus services.
Allow extra time, particularly at peak hours – the bus follows the roads, not the tram tracks, and will be subject to traffic.
What if my journey goes beyond the city centre?
You'll need to change at least once. Here's the route for each destination:
Bury: Take the replacement bus to Piccadilly, then a tram towards Bury.
Ashton-under-Lyne: Take the replacement bus to Piccadilly, then a tram towards Ashton-under-Lyne.
East Didsbury or Manchester Airport: Take the replacement bus and get off at Trafford Bar. Board a second replacement bus to Chorlton, then continue by tram towards East Didsbury or the Airport.
Eccles: Take the replacement bus and get off at Cornbrook. Board a second replacement bus towards Eccles. Pomona won't be served – use Exchange Quay instead.
The Trafford Centre: Take the replacement bus and get off at Cornbrook. Board a second replacement bus towards the Trafford Centre. Pomona won't be served – use Wharfside instead. Travelling after 8pm? You'll need a Bee Network bus for the Trafford Centre leg.
Rochdale: Take the replacement bus to Piccadilly, change for a tram to Victoria, then continue towards Rochdale Town Centre.
Are there quicker or cheaper alternatives?
Possibly. Regular Bee Network bus services call at stops near each tram stop on the Altrincham line, and depending on where you're going, these may beat the replacement bus on time or price.
The routes serving the line are: 11, 15, 23, 25, 41, 53, 79, 245, 248, 249, 250, 255, 256, 263, 281, 285 and 286. One caveat: the 281 doesn't run on Sundays.
Remember: tram tickets aren't valid on these numbered services, so you'll need a bus ticket.
To plan a bus-only journey, use the journey planner at tfgm.com – tap 'options' and make sure only the bus icon is highlighted. The same feature is in the Bee Network app, which also shows live bus tracking.
Why is this happening?
The works at Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar are part of a network-wide programme of planned improvements running throughout 2026. Transport for Greater Manchester is investing almost £150m through to 2027 on maintenance, upgrades and improvements, including fixing and replacing older tram tracks in the city centre.
Extra works are being carried out on the Eccles line at the same time, which TfGM says will reduce the need for further closures later in the year.
Key dates at a glance
- Monday 13 July: Altrincham line closes; replacement buses begin
- Sunday 2 August: Last day of the closure
- Monday 3 August: Trams resume as normal
- Sunday 9 August: Line closed again from start of service until 2pm
