Town Hall works affect 2CC line over weekend
On Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August 2026, works took place at Manchester Town Hall, which has been under wraps (literally) since 2018, when the town hall and the adjacent Albert Square were closed for refurbishment. This meant that the Second City Crossing (2CC) section of the City Lines on the Metrolink had to close for the weekend. Earlier this year, Albert Square has since opened up, and a little while before these works, part of the protective sheeting was removed on part of the Princess Street side of the town hall, making it largely visible from Princess Street for the first time since the closure to visitors began in 2018. This, of course, means that for the majority of the time that 2CC has been open (this section since February 2017), the Town Hall it runs past has been concealed.
The gates still in place, but the banners removed on Princess Street, 16 August 2026.
During these works, part of the banners laid across the gates covering the town hall by the side of the road were removed.
Road closure barriers, traffic cones and sings on Princess Street, 16 August 2026.
The road was also closed to road traffic completely, though obviously whilst works were not happening, bikers (especially those on deliveries) and pedestrians utilised the space.
Also during this closure, the Rochdale Line was closed between Victoria and Rochdale Town Centre, meaning no trams were running from St Peter’s Square to Rochdale Town Centre via Exchange Square. The Rochdale Line will remain closed between Oldham Mumps and Rochdale Town Centre following 17 August until 28 August, for Phase 2 of repair works to take place at the Derker landslip site.
