Passengers Urged to Check Before Travel Amid Major Railway Upgrades

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Passengers are being advised to check before they travel ahead of major changes to journeys Manchester Piccadilly station next month for once-in-a-generation track upgrades.

Over nine days from Saturday 14 February, Network Rail teams will be completing a huge overhaul of tracks, points and signalling systems across six railway lines on the southern approach to Manchester Piccadilly station.

As the gateway to the North West's busiest railway station, any faults on this section of railway can have knock-on effects across the entire railway network.

With some of the current infrastructure dating back to the 1980s - this major investment will make the railway more reliable and in turn reduce unplanned disruption for passengers and freight.

The investment of nearly eight million pounds (£7.9m) will see:

  • Eleven sets of points replaced

  • 9,000m of new cabling laid

  • Timber sleepers upgraded with modern concrete equivalents 

  • Signalling and lineside equipment modernised

Rebecca Rathore, Network Rail's North West route strategy director, said: "We are a month away from our £7.9m investment to renew 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." 

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).

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.

Some trains from across the north will also be impacted during the essential upgrades as well as direct connections to Manchester Airport station.

Today (Tuesday 13 January) passengers are being advised to checkwww.nationalrail.co.uk so they know exactly what to expect from their journey during the essential improvements.

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. 

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.

For updates about the project at Manchester Piccadilly, visit the webpage:Piccadilly corridor renewal - Network Rail.

Notes to Editors

*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. 

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. 

Changes to train services 

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. 

**Rail replacement information 

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.