The long-awaited Metrolink extension to Oldham has been delayed by up to three months, but trams should be running on the Chorlton line next week.
Transport chiefs confirmed that 'technical issues' have stalled work on the service from Manchester to Oldham.
The line from Manchester Victoria to Central Park, which was set to open this month, will now start in December.
The extension to the the remaining stops at Oldham Mumps is now scheduled to open in March 2012, Transport for Greater Manchester confirmed.
Metrolink bosses said delays were caused by problems with the new tram management system, which controls how new and old tram lines work together.
The video below shows the view from the first tram to travel along the new Chorlton line ...
Philip Purdy, Metrolink director, said: "We want to get all of our new lines open and in service as soon as possible. I know that people will want to be using their Metrolink. But we can't rush what we are doing and I would urge our potential customers along the Oldham line to please be patient.
"We have learned from our experience of integrating the new tram management system at MediaCityUK and Chorlton."
He added that "people and safety" were the most important aspects of the new line.
The mulit-million pound South Manchester tram extension will finally open next week.
Transport chiefs are putting the finishing touches to the Chorlton service and are set to open three new stops after weekend test runs.
The line branches off from the Altrincham service and will call at Firswood, Chorlton-cum-Hardy and St Werburgh's.
It will give commuters a 15-minute link from Chorlton to St Peter's Square in the city centre, say Transport for Greater Manchester – the body that runs transport across the region.
Chorlton traders were cautious about how the new line will boost footfall, but said the bars and restaurants could benefit most.
Commuters in the village will have links to Eccles, Altrincham, Bury and Salford's MediaCity once the service opens.
The Chorlton line is the first part of the multi-million pound 'big bang' Metrolink expansion across Greater Manchester. Cash for the project was initially offered by the Labour government but was withdrawn in 2004.
The money for a smaller 'little bang' was reinstated after a major campaign.
Parts of the project - the extensions to Didsbury and Ashton - appeared under threat when the current government announced transport cuts last year. But Chancellor George Osborne confirmed those two extensions would go ahead, costing £170m.
The impact on the Chorlton economy is yet to be seen but could boost evening retail as well as house prices, experts said.
Matilda Botman, spokesman for Chorlton Traders Association, told the South Manchester Reporter: "I'm all for the new tram line.
“We will have to wait and see what affect it has on retail in Chorlton. I have a feeling it will increase trade for the bars and restaurants in the area, because people can have a drink and meal and get the tram home. In six months or so, we will see what affect it has on the shops and retail."
Philip Purdy, Metrolink director, said: "This is a major milestone in Metrolink's expansion and improvement programme, the largest single public transport investment project outside London."
Services on the South Manchester line will run every 12 minutes between:
* 6am-11.45pm, Mon-Thu
* 6am-00.45am, Fri-Sat
* 9am-5.30pm Sun
This will increase to every six minutes, later in the year.
Fares from St Werburgh's into Manchester Victoria will be up to £3.50 for an adult peak return.
Contractors are working on the next phase of the South Manchester line, from St Werburgh's to East Didsbury via Withington, Burton Road, West Didsbury and Didsbury village.
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The best arrival into Chorlton since Kingbee records
Funny how South Mancheser yet again gets the Trams. They have been stalling the Oldham line due to they have not sorted plans for Oldham mumps. they dont have planning yet.
I'm sure that the thousands and thousands of people clamouring to get on the new trams to descend on Rochdale from the neighbouring towns and cities to do their shopping, and lap up all the entertainment on offer will mind too much.
They will just have to be patient.....
South Manchester - always a priority.
A 6 month delay on the service to Oldham. Wonderful. I am so glad they closed all our rail stations for this!....
Following technical difficulties? We can't work out how to build a tram line proper that'S all, and the Germans wont help us, even though they built these bloody trams. They say they are too busy building trams lines of their own. Oh dear! Two lads in our department (Jeremy and Rupert) even went to a private-boarding-school Gulag and talk real southern posh but even they can't work out how these trams are supposed to run. Eeh by gum, it's a reet rum do this is.
well manchester so regenerated that all the old regeneration must be demolished to make way for any new regeneration.
Everyone complaining should think of us on the West side... we're potentially getting a (mis)guided bus lane from Leigh to the East Lancs.
A shambles of an idea.
In case anyone is interested in looking at all the lines - current and planned - on a google map of Manchester:
http://cleveret.net/?page_id=2
Wonderful! Nothing west of Eccles, though, still.
Strange that Bolton and Wigan could run their own trams 80 years ago, but not now!
I feel the Chorlton route should be christened The Lentil Line
I have just been talking to one of the engineers. They have not told them how to gat there in case of a breakdown. Thats planning for you.
whats in oldham any way ?????????????
So, work grinds to a halt, whilst Rochdale town centre suffers for nothing.
I can't wait to escape.
I blame the Tories, Osbourne approving funding for the extensions was clearly politically motivated. To make Labour look bad!
I hate Metrolink but let's be objective:
A service running as late as 00:45 will come in pretty handy but what's the Sunday service finishing at 5.30 all about?
Oldham should have a train line - A 2 mile line from Oldham Werneth towards Middleton to join the Rochdale line from Mills Hill into Manchester Victoria. Aswell as Metrolink.
Technical issues? Well after a few inquiries I've been told that they cannot work out the movement of the trams properly, despite the fact that they've had over a year to do this. Given that they've already had all this time, what are the realistic chances that they'll get it right in time now?
I can't wait for the trams to get to Oldham. . . So I can get on one and get out of this town of pound shops and take-aways.
I have just seen the sign of the Chorlton stop and I cannot believe the sign says trams to Manchester.Chorlton IS IN MANCHESTER.Why o why does it not say trams to CENTRAL MANCHESTER across the line?Still got the small town hat on.It is going to be the biggest tram system when completed in the UK.and the signage should reflect this.
The same with the signs on the M56 motorway,pointing towards Town,you are ALREADY in Manchester sign should say CENTRAL MANCHESTER.
Born red M/cr Bred.
I will wait and see if new tram link can be called a success, it links an already overloaded and and unusable section at peak times. The Altrincham line into Manchester is so busy that many can not board safely or even get on at all during rush hour and this is by the time the tram has reached Sale. There is more space in a sardine can, it is nearly impossible for disabled and wheelchair users to get on let alone the young fit and healthy.
I am also left to wonder why this section has been planned before others as the public sector paradise of Chorlton already has the best of the bus service in Greater Manchester, many areas over the years have seen a major decrease in bus services including closed routes and longer waiting times for whats left of the shambles of this transport service, whilst Chorlton seems to have an endless flow of buses taking them anywhere and anytime they want the rest of us suffer.
Perhaps the only blessing is that when the tram system does the ineviatable and starts to keep breaking down they will still have the bus while we will have to wait for the emergancy shuttle bus service to kick in making us even later than usual.
If Manchester had voted 'YES' to the TIF proposals, a world class transport infrastructure would be on the way, including the complete 'big-bang' metrolink expanssion!
This is the Metrolink control room. We are currently experiencing delays of up to 12 minutes on the Chorlton line. Metrolink would like to apologise for any inconvenience.
Repeat ad nauseum.
Bring on the delays
"The new extension will allow passengers to travel into Manchester more cheaply than driving" says the press release - but not one single car parking space has been provided by TfGM for this purpose, and on these wonderful new 43 seater trams - you wouldn't get me out of my comfy car seat anyway, to stand there sniffing someone else's armpit!
Come on TfGM - try some joined up thinking - just for once!
As for the Track Management System - does it know how many tracks are on each section yet, so that it doesn't set trams off on a collision course or not? Because that is what was happening on Media City - wasn't it!