Cable theft delays trams

Dean Kirby

November 12, 2009

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COPPER thieves are being hunted after they cut through a live cable on the Metrolink's Altrincham line.

They stole a section of the high-voltage cable when they targeted the line between the Manchester Central convention complex and Cornbrook.

It was the second theft from the same section of the Metrolink system in a month. The damage caused track signals to display 'danger' signs and trams had to go slow as they headed from Manchester towards Cornbrook station.

Metrolink bosses said there were no major delays. A spokesman for Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive said: "We're looking into what has happened and are still trying to find out the extent of the fault."

Thieves targeted the same section of the Metrolink system on October 13, causing services to be suspended between Old Trafford and St Peter's Square.

Theft

That theft came six days after thieves stole 100 metres of copper signalling cable from a railway line near Ordsall Lane in Salford, which closed the railway between Eccles and Manchester.

Police are investigating the latest incident, which happened early on Thursday.

One passenger who contacted the Manchester Evening News said his journey to Sale was delayed by 20 minutes.

Metal thefts have been described as a major economic crime, costing residents and councils hundreds of thousands of pounds in repairs.

The M.E.N. has reported how homes, businesses, churches and schools in Tameside were targeted by a specialist gang who sold on the stolen goods to legitimate retailers. Part of the rail network in Wigan was brought to a halt last year after 200 metres of copper cable, which helped control signals, was stolen.

Metrolink services in Bury have been brought to a standstill in the past after thieves stole copper cable near Crumpsall station.

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Rob Wilson (12/11/2009 at 19:09)

Shows how desperate people are for money.

Salford John, Wigan (12/11/2009 at 19:51)

let's hope one of them isn't so lucky next time they cut through the live wires

Mrs Jammy, Sitting on the settee (12/11/2009 at 21:21)

People really will nick anything these days - someone stole my fence at the weekend!

Salford Raised and Red, Manchester (12/11/2009 at 22:34)

“Metrolink bosses said there were no major delays”
I beg to differ perhaps the Metrolink bosses should have got off their well upholstered backsides and waited at Salford Quays for just under an hour this evening in the wind and rain until a tram eventually turned up bound for Piccadilly. Sadly that tram and the next two after it were so full nobody could actually board the tram. Almost 2 hours to get from Salford Quays to Manchester City Centre and I am the mug who is paying £45 a month to experience this pathetic attempt at a transport service. One thing goes wrong and the entire service goes wrong as a result. I have still got the barely audible announcement in my head from the Metrolink control room about delays on the Eccles line I must have listened to the same message 10 times this evening. I think I understood what he was attempting to say after announcement number 8.

Note to Metrolink bosses improve security on your network.
Have an emergency backup plan.
Try communicating with passengers stuck at stations waiting for trams with updated information from people who can actually speak properly rather then the same message over and over again from someone who sounds like he is talking through a handkerchief.
Oh and most important of all…. Try getting a grip!

citizen x, manchester (12/11/2009 at 22:53)

police are hunting two men with blackened faces and spikey hair.

Unite against the UAF (12/11/2009 at 23:20)

I thought that copper thieves went out with the likes of Steptoe & Son 40+ years ago but as Rob points out people are desperate for money in these times.

Savage Mandarin, Manchester (13/11/2009 at 09:30)

What was the value of the stolen copper - and how would this compare to the cost of a couple of night security staff patrolling problem areas with radio back-up available? But why bother when you've got insurance/can stick the prices up when you want to/don't actually give a d*mn about your customers being inconvenienced?

citycentre, manchester (13/11/2009 at 11:23)

"I thought that copper thieves went out with the likes of Steptoe & Son 40+ years ago "

No it is very common, as train commuters could report

Anthony Cutt (13/11/2009 at 16:39)

Salford Raised and Red, Manchester,

Metrolink bosses said 'no major delays' & they were right.
Two hours to get a tram from Salford Quays is a normal service for Metrolink! Now Stagecoach have a new 'Express' service from Old Trafford football ground to town, I'd say that's a much better option than the trams.

Horatio Dogsbody, Flixton (13/11/2009 at 22:31)

If the trams were still able to run, albeit slowly, it appears that it was a signalling cable that was stolen, rather than a power supply cable. Could these cables not be replaced by fibre optic cables instead of copper wire? Broken glass has much less scrap value than copper or aluminium and so would not be as attractive to steal.

kindofnew (13/11/2009 at 23:52)

"What was the value of the stolen copper - and how would this compare to the cost of a couple of night security staff patrolling problem areas with radio back-up available? But why bother when you've got insurance/can stick the prices up when you want to/don't actually give a d*mn about your customers being inconvenienced? "

Probably a lot cheaper than having people patroling all 23 miles of line all night 365 days a year. Not much you can do about people prepared to risk their lives to make a bit of money. If security was concentrated on one area, the theives would just move onto other areas.

Hollingworth (14/11/2009 at 21:33)

Well, I was delated by 20 minutes in the morning, and over 40 minutes (in the pouring rain) in the evening (with no station announcements).

If that's not a significant delay, perhaps Metrolink could tell us what they consider to be a significant delay? Maybe this explains why metrolink projects overrun - they have such a different concept of overruning and delays to the rest of us.

Opinion Man (23/11/2009 at 11:34)

Yeah, I'm sure they'll be using the money to be medicine for their sick children - NOT!

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