[hstudent]

During July and August the Metrolink line to and from Altrincham will be closed for maintenance. Consequently, many passengers are expected to transfer to the Manchester to Chester via Altrincham rail line. This could have potentially caused major problems as many trams are overcrowded and trains arriving at Altrincham going towards Manchester in the morning peak currently have up to 170 people on 142s with between 102 and 120 seats.

Northern Rail have taken four class 142 Pacer trains on short term lease form Angel Trains to ‘strengthen’ the service between Chester and Manchester via Altrincham. Most trains should then be run with four carriages instead of the usual two.

Greater Manchester PTE is attempting to put together a deal where the 142s will remain with Northern after the end of the deal to strengthen services in the Greater Manchester area.