Metrolink services between Rochdale Railway Station and Central Park will be replaced with buses for nine days from Saturday (18 January) as the final connections are made to bring Oldham’s new town centre tram line into service.

The weeklong changes will allow the track between Werneth and Oldham Mumps to be severed and connected to a brand new alignment into and through the town centre.

When the new track, overhead power lines and systems have been connected, final testing will begin and this will be followed by the start of passenger services.

A like-for-like replacement bus service will be provided during the work, calling at all the affected stops.

Details of where to catch replacement buses are now available at stops, online at www.metrolink.co.uk or by calling the Metrolink team on 0161 205 2000.

Unless adverse wintry weather conditions affect progress on the ground, the line will open to passenger service on Monday 27 January – several months ahead of schedule.

The line has four new stops – Westwood, Oldham King Street, Oldham Central and Oldham Mumps, with the latter integrating tram and bus services and providing a new, free park and ride site for Metrolink passengers.