Passengers are facing more disruption
06:47, 23 Oct 2025Updated 07:44, 23 Oct 2025
A pantograph appeared to detach from an overhead power line at Portland Street on Wednesday(Image: submitted)
Commuters are facing further disruption after a damaged power line caused chaos on the Metrolink network.
The entire Ashton line was closed for several hours on Wednesday (October 22), while four city centre tram stops were out of service.
Most of the network was back up and running by the evening rush hour, but the Piccadilly Gardens tram stop remained closed.
Piccadilly Gardens tram stop is still closed this morning (Thursday) while emergency engineering works continue.
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Services on the Altrincham, Ashton, Bury and Eccles lines are being diverted away from Piccadilly Gardens as a result, with some services terminating at other city centre stations.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) hopes the problem will be resolved later today.
Danny Vaughan, chief network officer at TfGM, said: “We’re sorry that some people’s travel may be impacted this morning as we continue work to repair damage to an overhead power line.
Some services are terminating at Victoria instead of Piccadilly
“Engineers are working to fix it as soon as possible today, and I’d encourage passengers to allow some extra time for their journey and check our website and social media for the latest information and advice.”
An image from Wednesday appeared to show a pantograph above a Metrolink tram had disconnected from the overhead power line near Portland Street, with the vehicle taped off.
An update on TfGM’s website this morning said: “Due to an overhead line fault in the city centre, Piccadilly Gardens tram stop is closed and there are some changes in place on Metrolink services.
“Ashton line services are operating Ashton – Piccadilly. Bury – Piccadilly services are operating Bury – Victoria.
“Altrincham – Piccadilly services are operating Altrincham – Victoria. Eccles – Ashton services are operating Eccles – Cornbrook via Media City.
“Manchester Airport – Victoria, Rochdale – East Didsbury and Trafford Park – Deansgate line services are not affected.”