Network Rail Improves Southern Approach to Manchester Piccadilly Station

Arial Photo of Piccadilly Corridor (courtesy Network Rail)

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 will be carrying out a major overhaul of tracks, points and signalling systems on the south approach to Manchester Piccadilly station, beginning on Saturday 14 February.

Some of this infrastructure dates to the 1980's, and problems occurring on this section of the railway impact 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 the 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.

From the south of Manchester:

• All Avanti West Coast Main Line services to Manchester will terminate at Stockport.

• All Cross Country services from the south and south west to Manchester will terminate at Stockport.

• A limited service will call at Manchester Airport from Crewe.

• All other airport services will be replaced by buses.

• Services from South Wales to Manchester will terminate at Crewe.

• Onward connections will be available.

To the east of Manchester:

• Services from Glossop and Hadfield will terminate at Guide Bridge.

• Fast services from Sheffield will terminate at Stockport.

• Stopping services from Sheffield will terminate at Guide Bridge.

• Services from Leeds and Huddersfield will only travel to Manchester Victoria.

From the north and west of Manchester:

• Services from North Wales and Chester will terminate at Manchester Oxford Road via Warrington Bank Quay.

• Services from Liverpool and Warrington Central will terminate at Manchester Oxford Road.

• Trains from Preston and Bolton will terminate at Manchester Victoria or Manchester Oxford Road.

• TransPennine Express services from Scotland will terminate at Preston.

• Services from Chester via Northwich will terminate at Altrincham.

Where train services cannot reach Manchester, rail replacement buses will be in place.

Rail replacement bus services will run between Manchester Piccadilly and:

• Stockport

• Manchester Airport (some via Gatley/Burnage/East Didsbury)

• Chesterfield

Rail replacement bus services will run between Manchester Airport and:

• Warrington Bank Quay via Warrington Central

• Preston

• Bolton

• Manchester Piccadilly

• Huddersfield via Stockport

Rail replacement bus services will run between Manchester Victoria and:

• Guide Bridge

• Rose Hill Marple via Romiley

Passengers for Altrincham are advised to use the Bee Network Metrolink connection.

Transport for Greater Manchester will be supporting with ticket acceptance across a range of Bee Network bus services and Metrolink on affected routes and more information will follow ahead of the works 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.

For updates about the project, visit the webpage: Piccadilly corridor renewal – Network Rail.