Salford Commuters Urged to Plan as Eccles Tram Closes 2026

Key Points

• The Eccles tram line will close for three weeks from Monday, 13 July 2026, to Sunday, 2 August 2026, with no trams running between Eccles and Salford Quays.
• Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) confirmed the shutdown is part of a £150 million improvement programme across Metrolink, involving track replacement and tram servicing.
• Affected stops include Eccles, Ladywell, Langworthy, Weaste, MediaCity, Media City, Harbour City, Broadway, and Salford Quays; passengers must use replacement buses or other routes.
• Replacement buses will operate between affected stops, and normal tram services are scheduled to resume on Monday, 3 August 2026.
• Other tram disruptions will occur as 1.6km of track is replaced between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield, one of the busiest stretches of tram track in the country.
• Ian Davies, Network Director for Metrolink at TfGM, said sections of track are more than 30 years old and承受 heavy wear from 40-tonne trams running every 30 seconds at peak times.
• During the Eccles line closure, TfGM will repair out-of-use trams and service the fleet to improve reliability once services resume.
• The project will install more than 3,000 tonnes of new rail and 800 new concrete sleepers, with 70 engineers working across three sites throughout the summer.
• At Cornbrook, where the Eccles and Altrincham lines meet, specialist lifting equipment will be used for the first time in the UK due to the complexity of the work.
• TfGM has urged passengers to check the Bee Network website and app for replacement bus details, journey planning advice, and assistance options via staff or Help Points at tram stops.

 Salford Quays (Manchester Mirror) July 11, 2026 – Commuters are being urged to plan ahead as a key tram line closes for three weeks from Monday, with no trams running on the Eccles line between 13 July and Sunday, 2 August 2026, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) confirmed. The closure forms part of a wider £150 million investment programme to maintain, upgrade and improve 6km of Metrolink track across Greater Manchester, with work designed to make services safer, more reliable and resilient for years to come.

The Eccles line, which runs from Eccles through Ladywell, Langworthy, Weaste, MediaCity, Media City, Harbour City, Broadway and uk/local/salford-quays/">Salford Quays, will be completely shut to tram traffic during the period, meaning passengers on the Salford route must find alternative ways to travel. Replacement buses will run between affected stops, and normal tram services are due to resume from Monday, 3 August 2026, according to TfGM.

How Will the Closure Affect Daily Travel for Salford and Eccles Passengers?

As reported by a TfGM spokesperson, “Passengers are encouraged to check the Bee Network website and app for the latest travel information, including replacement bus details and journey planning advice. Customers who need assistance can also speak to staff or use the Help Points available at tram stops.” This guidance is particularly important for commuters who rely on the line for work, education or essential appointments, as the line serves key employment and media hubs including MediaCity and Salford Quays.

Commuters on the affected Salford route will need to consider walking, cycling, other tram lines, or local bus services as alternatives during the three-week shutdown. TfGM has stated it will do everything it can to keep people moving while the essential upgrades take place, though it has apologised for the disruption and acknowledged that the closure can be annoying for regular users.

Why Is TfGM Investing £150 Million in Metrolink Track Upgrades Across Greater Manchester?

Ian Davies, Network Director for Metrolink at TfGM, explained that the track upgrades will benefit commuters on one of the country’s most popular tram routes. “The work at Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield is taking place on one of the busiest stretches of tram track in the country,” he said.

“Some sections are more than 30 years old, with 40-tonne trams running every 30 seconds at peak times – that level of wear and tear takes its toll, which is why this work is so important.”

Davies described the work as one of the most complex parts of the network to access, requiring a carefully planned approach to carry out the work safely and efficiently. He said these upgrades will help reduce journey times and make services more reliable for passengers, while also allowing TfGM to repair and service trams during the Eccles line closure to improve reliability when services resume.

“We’re sorry for the disruption. We know it can be annoying, and while these essential upgrades take place, we will do everything we can to keep people moving,”

Mr Davies added.

What Specific Track and Engineering Work Will Be Carried Out During the Closure?

The three-week closure forms part of an ongoing programme of investment to maintain, upgrade and improve 6km of Metrolink, backed by almost £150 million of investment through to 2027. More than 3,000 tonnes of new rail and 800 new concrete sleepers will be fitted as part of the scheme, with a team of 70 engineers working across three sites throughout the summer to complete the work.

Once installed, the track will be adjusted and tested to ensure it meets safety standards and trams travel smoothly and efficiently along it, according to TfGM. The project also includes replacing 1.6km of track between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield, with tram services on several other lines disrupted as part of the next stage of £150m worth of improvement works.

How Complex Is the Work at Cornbrook and What Specialist Equipment Will Be Used?

Such is the complexity of the work required where the Eccles and Altrincham lines meet at Cornbrook, it will be the first time a type of specialist lifting equipment has been used in the UK, TfGM has indicated. This reflects the technical challenges involved in upgrading intersecting lines while maintaining safety and minimising risk to workers and the wider network.

The use of specialist lifting equipment at Cornbrook underscores the scale and precision required for the overall upgrade programme, which must balance heavy engineering work with the need to keep other parts of the network operational where possible.

When Will Replacement Buses Operate and When Are Trams Expected to Return?

Replacement buses will run between affected stops on the Eccles line during the closure, providing a direct alternative for passengers who would normally use trams between Eccles and Salford Quays. Normal services are due to resume from Monday, 3 August 2026, giving commuters a clear timeframe for when the line will be back in full operation.

TfGM has stressed that passengers should check the Bee Network website and app for up-to-date replacement bus details and journey planning advice, as specific bus routes and timings may be adjusted as the work progresses. The authority has also highlighted that customers who need assistance can speak to staff or use Help Points available at tram stops for personalised support.

Background: The Development and Context of the Metrolink Upgrade Programme

The Eccles line closure is not an isolated event but part of a long-planned, multi-year investment strategy for Metrolink, Greater Manchester’s tram network. The programme is backed by almost £150 million of investment through to 2027 and aims to ensure the tram network remains safe, reliable and resilient for years to come. It includes maintaining, upgrading and improving 6km of track, with major work focused on heavily used sections such as those between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield.

The decision to carry out the work over the summer, and to close the Eccles line for a continuous three-week period, reflects the need to complete complex engineering tasks efficiently while minimising repeated disruptions over a longer period. The use of specialist lifting equipment at Cornbrook, and the involvement of 70 engineers across three sites, indicates that this is one of the most significant track upgrade operations in the network’s recent history.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Salford Commuters and Wider Greater Manchester Users

For Salford commuters, the three-week closure will likely mean longer travel times, the need to adjust daily routines, and potentially higher reliance on buses, walking or other tram lines. Residents who work in MediaCity, Salford Quays or nearby business hubs may face particular challenges, as the Eccles line is a key link to these employment areas. However, the introduction of replacement buses and clear communication via the Bee Network app should help many passengers plan alternative journeys and reduce uncertainty.

In the longer term, the upgrades are expected to benefit all Greater Manchester tram users by reducing journey times, improving reliability and extending the life of key track sections. Once the work is completed and trams resume on the Eccles line, commuters should experience smoother, more consistent services, which could encourage greater use of the tram network for daily travel. While the closure will cause short-term disruption, the underlying investment aims to deliver sustained improvements in safety, capacity and performance across Metrolink through to 2027 and beyond.