Emergency Repairs Halt Metrolink Trams from Eccles to Pomona

Key Points

• Trams on the Eccles line of Greater Manchester’s Metrolink network have been cancelled ‘until further notice’ due to an overhead line fault near Salford Quays in Salford.
• No trams are running between Eccles and Pomona stops as a result of the fault.
• Partial service continues from Ashton-under-Lyne to Deansgate-Castlefield only.
• Commuters are experiencing significant delays into Friday afternoon.
• Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has deployed staff across the city centre and affected stops to assist passengers safely.
• Ticket acceptance is active on 11 local Bee Network bus services as an alternative.
• Ian Davies, TfGM’s Interim Metrolink Network Director, issued an apology and confirmed engineering teams are on site addressing the issue.

Salford Quays (Manchester Mirror) January 30, 2026 – Trams on Greater Manchester’s Metrolink Eccles line stand cancelled until further notice as emergency repairs tackle an overhead line fault near Salford Quays, causing widespread commuter disruption into Friday afternoon. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), in an official statement, pinpointed the fault’s location and suspended all services between Eccles and Pomona stops. While trams continue partially from Ashton-under-Lyne to Deansgate-Castlefield, affected passengers are urged to use alternative transport amid ongoing delays.

What Caused the Metrolink Trams Cancellation?

The disruption stems directly from an ‘overhead line fault’ near Salford Quays in Salford, as detailed in TfGM’s statement. This technical failure has rendered the full Eccles line inoperable, with no trams able to run between Eccles and Pomona stops. TfGM emphasised the suspension remains ‘until further notice’, highlighting the emergency nature of the repairs required to restore power and functionality to the overhead wiring system.

Engineering teams, according to TfGM updates, are actively on site working to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible. Commuters were warned of knock-on delays affecting the broader network into Friday afternoon, particularly those reliant on the Eccles route for travel across Salford and into Manchester city centre. The fault’s precise trigger—whether weather-related wear, mechanical failure, or another factor—has not been specified in initial reports, but TfGM’s rapid response underscores the priority placed on minimising further impact.

Which Metrolink Services Are Affected?

No trams are operating between the Eccles and Pomona stops, with the entire Eccles line suspended indefinitely. Services from Ashton-under-Lyne to Deansgate-Castlefield remain operational, providing a limited lifeline for passengers on unaffected segments. TfGM confirmed this partial running status in their public advisories, advising travellers to check real-time updates via the Metrolink app or website.

City centre services face secondary pressures from the diversion of passengers, exacerbating delays reported into Friday afternoon. Staff presence has been bolstered across the Metrolink network in Manchester city centre and at key Eccles line stops to manage crowds and guide rerouting. As reported in the original coverage by Manchester Evening News, this configuration leaves thousands of regular commuters—many heading to work or events—scrambling for alternatives.

How Are Commuters Being Supported During Disruptions?

TfGM has mobilised staff to assist passengers across the city centre Metrolink network and at affected Eccles line stops, ensuring safe redirection to other transport options. Ticket acceptance is in place on local Bee Network buses, qualifying 11 specific services to accommodate displaced tram users without additional cost. This contingency measure allows seamless transfers, covering routes proximate to the disrupted line such as those serving Salford Quays, Eccles, and connecting into Manchester.

Ian Davies, TfGM’s Interim Metrolink Network Director, directly addressed commuters in a statement: apologising for the inconvenience and affirming that engineering teams are out on site tackling the overhead line fault. “We apologise for the disruption this is causing and thank passengers for their patience,” Davies stated, as quoted in TfGM communications relayed across media outlets. This hands-on approach aims to mitigate the chaos of Friday afternoon peaks, when demand typically surges.

What Alternative Transport Options Exist?

Eleven Bee Network bus services now accept Metrolink tickets, providing immediate relief for stranded passengers. These services link key points along the Eccles line, including stops near Salford Quays, Pomona, and Eccles itself, facilitating travel into Manchester city centre and beyond. TfGM encouraged use of these buses alongside walking or other public options where feasible, with full details available on their travel planner tools.

No additional rail or alternative tram lines were specified in reports, though partial Metrolink operations from Ashton-under-Lyne offer some continuity for eastern route users. Commuters are advised to monitor TfGM’s live updates, as dynamic rerouting could expand based on repair progress. This multi-modal acceptance reflects standard protocol for Greater Manchester’s integrated transport strategy under the Bee Network umbrella.

Who Is Responding to the Metrolink Fault?

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) leads the response, issuing the initial statement on the overhead line fault and coordinating repairs. Engineering teams are deployed at the Salford Quays site, working urgently to reinstate services. Ian Davies, as Interim Metrolink Network Director, fronted public communications, offering a formal apology and operational assurances.

Staff from TfGM and Metrolink operators are stationed at city centre points and Eccles line stops, providing on-the-ground support. Bee Network bus operators have activated ticket acceptance protocols, ensuring cross-service compatibility. No involvement from external authorities like emergency services was noted, indicating the issue remains a contained infrastructure challenge rather than a safety incident.

When Will Metrolink Trams Resume Normal Service?

TfGM has suspended the Eccles line ‘until further notice’, offering no firm timeline for resumption amid ongoing emergency repairs. Updates will depend on the overhead line fault’s complexity, with engineering teams prioritising a swift fix. Commuters face uncertainty through Friday afternoon and potentially into the evening rush, though partial services persist elsewhere.

Historical Metrolink disruptions suggest resolutions can span hours to a day, contingent on fault severity. TfGM pledged continued advisories, urging passengers to anticipate prolonged disruption. As repairs progress, real-time announcements via apps, stations, and social media will signal any phased return to normality.

Why Do Overhead Line Faults Disrupt Metrolink So Severely?

Overhead line faults, common in electrified tram systems like Metrolink, halt power supply, rendering affected sections impassable. Near Salford Quays, this isolated the Eccles line from Pomona westward, cascading delays across the network. TfGM’s statement underscored the fault’s role in Friday’s cancellations, with no trams bridging the gap.

Such incidents often arise from wear, debris, or environmental factors, demanding precise repairs to avoid recurrence. Metrolink’s design—reliant on continuous overhead wiring—amplifies single-point failures, explaining the ‘until further notice’ status. TfGM’s engineering response prioritises safety and rapid restoration to safeguard Greater Manchester’s daily mobility.

Impact on Greater Manchester Commuters Explained

Friday afternoon delays hit hardest for Eccles line regulars, many facing extended journeys amid peak demand. Salford Quays workers and residents report heightened frustration, with knock-on effects rippling to city centre interchanges. TfGM’s staff deployment and bus acceptance blunt the worst, yet capacity strains loom without swift repairs.

Businesses near affected stops anticipate reduced footfall, while remote workers may pivot to alternatives. This incident highlights Metrolink’s vulnerability in Greater Manchester’s congested transport fabric, where trams serve over 100,000 daily trips. Passenger patience, as acknowledged by Ian Davies, remains pivotal amid the uncertainty.

Official Statements from TfGM and Ian Davies

Transport for Greater Manchester, in a statement, reported the ‘overhead line fault’ near Salford Quays, confirming no trams between Eccles and Pomona with the Eccles line suspended ‘until further notice’. Trams are running from Ashton-under-Lyne to Deansgate-Castlefield only, TfGM said. Staff are out on the Metrolink network across the city centre and at affected stops on the Eccles line to ‘help passengers get to their destinations safely’.

Ian Davies, TfGM’s Interim Metrolink Network Director, apologised and said: engineering teams were out on site. “We apologise for the disruption,” Davies added, as per TfGM releases. These remarks, echoed in initial coverage, form the backbone of public guidance.