Sale tram stops affected as Altrincham line to shut for three weeks this summer
Tram passengers in Sale are being warned to expect disruption this summer, as the Altrincham line shuts for three weeks as part of major Metrolink improvement works.
Services through Sale, Brooklands and Dane Road will be suspended from Monday 13 July to Sunday 2 August, with replacement buses running instead.
The closure is part of a wider £150m programme of upgrades across the Metrolink network, with key work taking place at Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar.
What it means for Sale passengers
For commuters and regular travellers, journeys are likely to take longer than usual. Replacement buses will run between Sale and Manchester Piccadilly, but anyone travelling beyond the city centre should expect at least one additional change.
Normal tram services are due to resume on Monday 03 August, although there will be a further one-day closure on Sunday 09 August (from the start of service until 2pm) for additional works.
Replacement bus services
During the closure, replacement buses will serve all affected stops between Sale and Piccadilly.
Monday to Saturday: every 7.5 minutes (6am-8pm), then every 30 minutes until the end of service
Sunday: every 15 minutes (7am-8pm), then every 30 minutes
Tram tickets will be accepted on these replacement buses, but not on standard Bee Network bus services.
Travelling beyond the city centre
Passengers heading further across the network will need to factor in changes:
Bury / Ashton-under-Lyne: Bus to Piccadilly, then tram
East Didsbury / Manchester Airport: Change at Trafford Bar for a second replacement bus to Chorlton
Eccles: Change at Cornbrook for a replacement bus (Pomona not served)
Trafford Centre: Change at Cornbrook, alight at Wharfside
Rochdale: Bus to Piccadilly, tram to Victoria, then continue
The disruption doesn’t just affect the Altrincham line. During the same period, services to Eccles and Trafford Centre will also be suspended, while some other lines will terminate earlier than usual.
Why the works are happening
The closure forms part of a long-term investment programme across Greater Manchester’s tram network.
Transport for Greater Manchester is investing almost £150 million through to 2027 to maintain, upgrade and improve services – including replacing older tracks in the city centre.
Plan ahead
Passengers are advised to plan journeys and allow extra time, particularly during peak hours. Journey planning is available via the Bee Network app or the TfGM website.
