Normal tram services will resume tomorrow after widespread disruption across the Metrolink network.

Passengers were hit with a swathe of disruption on Monday due to a shortage of ‘vehicles’ and ongoing engineering works.

It’s understood that the shortages were caused by damage to 43 tram pantographs — the device used to draw power from overhead electricity lines.

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The disruption resulted in a Sunday service across the Metrolink network.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) bosses say that normal services will resume on Tuesday, subject to driver availability.

Metrolink operator, KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM), are said to have carried out the relevant repairs today.

Alex Cropper, TfGM’s Interim Head of Operations, said: “I’d like to apologise to everyone who has travelled and whose journey has been inconvenienced by the much-reduced service today.

“KAM’s engineering staff and other colleagues have been working throughout the day and are planning to launch a normal weekday service tomorrow.

“However, like many other transport operators, they are still managing high levels of absences due to coronavirus and all available staff are working very hard to keep people moving as best they can, and I’d encourage people to still plan ahead and check before making their journey tomorrow.”

Monday's disruption coincided with other improvement works on the network this week.

No trams will operate between Piccadilly and Eccles as improvement works are taking place until July 31.

In addition, work at Victoria Station means trams on the East Didsbury and Rochdale lines will not stop at Exchange Square, and will be diverted to Shudehill and Market Street.

Metrolink has also been hampered by a large amount of staff absences — with one in five of the network's workforce off in mid-July.

At the time, that was put down to a large number of team members either contracting Covid, or self-isolating having come into contact with those who have tested positive for the virus.

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