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.
Passengers are being advised to check www.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.
Updates about the project at Manchester Piccadilly, is available on the Piccadilly corridor renewal - Network Rail webpage.
