Passengers using the North West’s busiest railway station are being advised to plan their journey in advance this February, ahead of once-in-a-generation track and signalling upgrades.
Network Rail teams will be completing a huge overhaul of tracks, points and signalling systems on the southern approach to Manchester Piccadilly station, beginning on Saturday 14 February.
Some of this infrastructure dates to the 1980s and problems which occur on this section of the railway impact on nearly every service travelling into Manchester Piccadilly, so improving reliability here will provide a huge boost to passengers.
Network Rail will be investing nearly eight million pounds (£7.9m) on upgrades including:
- Replacing 11 sets of points
- Renewing 9,000m of cabling
- Upgrading timber sleepers with modern concrete equivalents
- Bringing lineside equipment up to date across six lines
The vast scale of the work spanning all main lines means no trains from the south and east of the city will run into Manchester Piccadilly for nine days over February half term (Saturday 14 – Sunday 22).
Some trains from across the north will also be impacted during the essential upgrades as well as direct connections to Manchester Airport station.
During this time, Network Rail is advising passengers to travel light, allow extra time for their journey and be prepared to queue, as stations and rail replacement services are expected to be very busy.
Network Rail has worked with train operators, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Manchester City Council to develop an alternative travel plan during the closure, to keep passengers moving smoothly to their destination.
Passengers can now see details on journey planners*.
Where train services cannot reach Manchester, rail replacement buses will be in place**.
TfGM will be supporting with ticket acceptance across a range of Bee Network bus and Metrolink services on affected routes and more information will follow ahead of the work beginning.
While the train shed (platforms 1-12) will close, Manchester Piccadilly’s concourse will remain open to the public. There will be a limited service westbound from platforms 13 and 14. Staff will be on hand to coordinate bus and Metrolink Bee Network journeys.
Rebecca Rathore, Network Rail’s North West route strategy director, said: “We’re investing £7.9m in renewing the Piccadilly corridor, a stretch of track critical to the journeys of around 400,000 trains into Manchester every year.
“This work is going to significantly reduce disruption for the many passengers who regularly use this route. Once the job is done, we will have a better, more reliable railway.
“The major overhaul over six railway lines can only take place during a full railway closure and we have worked closely with train operators, TfGM and Manchester City Council to develop an alternative travel plan that will keep people on the move. Please, plan your journey in advance as we are expecting services to be busy. We are grateful for your understanding.”
Simon Elliott, Network Director Rail at TfGM, said: “This investment in Manchester Piccadilly’s rail infrastructure is a crucial step forward in delivering a reliable and resilient railway for passengers, freight and supporting the city-region’s continued economic growth.
“We are working closely with rail industry colleagues to support people to move easily across Greater Manchester while these essential works take place with ticket acceptance on a range of Bee Network bus services and Metrolink on affected routes.”
A spokesperson for train operators said: “This work will improve the reliability of trains running into the region’s busiest station.
“During this essential work, we’re expecting services to be busy, so please plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Please check with your specific operator or with National Rail Enquiries for detailed journey information.”
This project is just one of a number of major improvement works planned by Network Rail across the West Coast Main Line in the coming months. Find out more about all the work taking place to keep passengers moving here.
For updates about the project at Manchester Piccadilly, visit the webpage: Piccadilly corridor renewal – Network Rail.
Image credit: Network Rail
