Metrolink trams on line damaged by land slip will start running again next week

Trams between Oldham and Rochdale will start running again next week following temporary repairs to damage caused by a land slip. Eight stops between the two towns have been out of action for more than five weeks.

The line between Derker and Shaw and Crompton 'shifted sideways' and overhead line poles were also damaged during the land slip in early July.

Metrolink engineers and specialists have since moved around 200 metres of track back into position using more than 100 tonnes of ballast.

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Normal service will resume from Monday morning. But, transport bosses have warned further repairs will be needed over the next 12 to 24 months.

Pete Sommers, TfGM's director for Metrolink, said: "The safety of our customers and staff is our highest priority and this was a serious landslip which affected the tracks and overhead line poles. The decision to suspend services was not taken lightly but the extent of the movement meant it was no longer safe to operate trams.

"Thanks to the round-the-clock efforts of our Metrolink engineers and groundwork specialists' repairs are now close to completion with test trams planned to operate over the coming days in advance of opening for start of service on Monday morning."