Passengers to ‘think in threes’ during 2022 Manchester Christmas markets

Passengers using Manchester Piccadilly station are being urged to ‘think in threes’ as the Christmas markets return to the city.

Huge numbers are expected to travel in and out of Manchester by train for the festive event which will see over 200 stalls at nine different sites across the city centre from today (Thursday 10 November) until Thursday 22 December.

 
With bumper crowds expected, Network Rail is advising rail travellers to follow its three 'golden rules' for the smoothest journey possible.

Plan your journey and check before you travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk   
Take an earlier train home – later services will be extremely busy
Please respect station staff and other passengers when making your journey
During the opening weekend of 2021’s Christmas markets, just under 338,000 people used Manchester Piccadilly station.

While the stalls and attractions are a great addition to the city, it can mean trains and platforms are much busier at the station.

As with previous years, queuing systems may be used to safely allow people to board their trains home.

Scott Green, Network Rail station manager at Manchester Piccadilly, said: “It's great to see the Christmas markets back bigger and better and we want everyone travelling by train to have the best possible journeys there and back.

“To make everyone’s visit as smooth as it can be, I’m urging passengers to follow our three golden rules to make travelling in and out of Manchester as easy as possible. There will be extra staff in place across the station to provide advice and information and help keep passengers safe throughout the festive season.”
Meanwhile, Christmas market goers are also advised that Metrolink services are currently impacted through Manchester Piccadilly station - click here for more information.

Further ahead, passengers are reminded of the closure of Platforms 13 and 14 for ten days between Sunday 25 December and Tuesday 3 January, then again on Sunday 22 January until Monday 23 January for resurfacing work.

Network Rail is also carrying out important work to Piccadilly’s roof over Christmas and New Year.

The station will be closed from Sunday 25 December (Christmas Day) until Tuesday 27 December, and Sunday 15 January until Monday 16 January.