LIVE: Manchester city centre tram stops SHUT with major Metrolink disruption - updates

Two city centre tram stops have been forced to shut this evening (Saturday) due to ‘tarp’ on the overhead line.

Market Street and Shudehill station are both currently closed and emergency services are currently at Market Street station where a tram appears to be caught in ‘tarp’ that has fallen on the overhead line.

Both stations shut just after 5.30pm this evening and remain closed until further notice. All Bury to Altrincham, Airport services will operate via Exchange Square. Bury Trams will operate Bury to Exchange Square.

The lines impacted are:

Travel service Inrix has said: "Tram stop closed on Manchester Metrolink at Market Street, and at Shudehill and services being diverted via Exchange Square due to object caught on the overhead line."

This is a breaking news blog. More updates will appear below as they come in.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has been contacted for an update

A travel alert on the Bee Network website, ran by TfGM, reads: “Due to tarp obstructing the overhead line at Market Street, both Shudehill and Market Street tram stops are currently closed.

“Bury to Altrincham and Manchester Airport services will all operate via Exchange square. Bury to Piccadilly services will operate Bury to Victoria. Metrolink would like to apologise for any delay caused.”

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has been contacted for comment.

An eyewitness has told the M.E.N that they saw ‘sparks fly off the tram line’ at Market Street Station.

The onlooker said it appears that tarp has got ‘caught under the part that connects the cable from the tram to the overhead power line.’

They added that the tram behind the one affected is also stuck and that ‘everyone had to disembark before the