St Peter's Square tram stop to close for redevelopment

A new line through St Peter's Square is due to open in 2017

A tram stop in Manchester city centre will close for about 14 months next summer.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said the St Peter's Square stop would be relocated to open up the area.

Two new platforms will be built and four sets of track will run through the square to replace the existing two.

Andrew Fender, from TfGM, said the project required "significant changes" and that disruption for commuters during the work was "unavoidable".

"Having the summertime closures - when the holiday period is in full swing and services are quieter - means we can instead get everything done as quickly as possible whilst maintaining a service through the city," he added.

New line

TfGM said for 10 months a single line would run through the square and no trams would stop there.

For two eight-week periods either side of this the line will close completely through the square.

During the closure trams from East Didsbury, Altrincham and Eccles will terminate at Deansgate Castlefield a spokesman said.

A new line being built, due to open in 2017, will begin in Lower Mosley Street and run through St Peter's Square, Princess Street, Cross Street and Corporation Street before re-joining the existing line at the expanded Metrolink Victoria stop.

In addition to the upgrading of the Deansgate-Castlefield, St Peter's Square and Manchester Victoria stops, a new stop will also be built in Exchange Square.