Next week, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will begin the next phase of its programme to maintain, upgrade and improve the city region’s tram network.

Starting on Tuesday 3 June, workers will replace track between Piccadilly station and Piccadilly Gardens. Every day, there are around three hundred tram movements through this section of track in each direction.

The work is expected to be completed by Sunday 10 August, with normal tram services resuming the following day. During the work, tram services will not run via Piccadilly Gardens.

Manchester’s Bee Network will be providing alternative travel options during the closure. TfGM is confident that many people will be able to make their tram journey as usual, and that any disruption will be minimal.

This project is the most significant part of a programme of track renewals. The programme aims to ensure that Metrolink continues to improve. An earlier part of the programme saw improvements at Weaste tram stop in February.

Last year saw the network set a new record for passenger numbers.

TfGM has scheduled the work for June because the tram network is usually less busy at this time, as the football season will have finished and some of the closure period falls during the school holidays.

TfGM is also drawing up plans for the network to carry the additional passengers who will use its services for forthcoming major events, including the Parklife festival and the Oasis gigs at Heaton Park.

The improvement programme is costing £147m.

“Metrolink forms a key part of the Bee Network and, as the country’s largest light rail network, carried 46 million passenger journeys last year alone.

“It plays a vital role in keeping Greater Manchester moving, supporting economic growth and connecting people to jobs, education and opportunity.

“That is why it’s so important to continually invest in the network to keep it safe, reliable and accessible for years to come.

“We’re doing everything we can to minimise disruption to people’s journeys – and I’d also like to reassure people that we have detailed plans in place to manage the big events coming up during this summer’s big events.”

Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink