Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) is closing the Piccadilly and Piccadilly Gardens stops for eight weeks from Saturday 27 September to carry out the first stage of work.

Posters are being put up at all 37 stops on the Metrolink network, letters have been delivered to local residents and businesses, and thousands of leaflets have been printed to hand out at tram stops and in GMPTE Travelshops.

A free shuttle bus service will run between Fairfield Street, outside Manchester Piccadilly station, and Piccadilly Gardens, opposite Wetherspoons while the stops are closed.

Philip Purdy, GMPTE’s Metrolink Director, said: “The city centre track is now 16 years old and is easily the busiest part of the network. Trams travel on some sections more than 250 times every day.

“We’ll be providing a free shuttle bus service while the Piccadilly and Piccadilly Gardens stops are closed. And we’ve included a map in the leaflets we’re handing out showing the quickest walking route between Piccadilly and Market Street.

“It is essential that this work is carried out so that Metrolink can continue to operate effectively. Unfortunately there will be some disruption while the work takes place but I hope people will bear with us.”

Trams will run between Bury and Altrincham every 6 minutes, and between Eccles and Victoria every 12 minutes, while the two city centre stops are closed.

The free shuttle buses will run every 10 minutes, with extra buses operating at busy times. The Piccadilly and Piccadilly Gardens stops will reopen on Friday 21 November 2008.

The rest of the project to upgrade the city centre track will take place next year. Passengers can get more information about Metrolink services at www.metrolink.co.uk or by calling Metrolink Customer Services on 0161 205 2000. Lines are open between 7am and 11pm, Monday to Friday, and between 10am and 6pm at weekends.