Major engineering work is set to take place at Manchester Piccadilly this February, with passengers being urged to plan ahead as Network Rail prepares for a significant upgrade of the station’s southern approach. The work, described as a once-in-a-generation overhaul, will modernise ageing track and signalling equipment and aims to improve reliability across one of the country’s busiest rail hubs.

Starting Saturday 14 February, engineers will replace infrastructure dating back to the 1980s, which currently affects nearly all services entering the station. The £7.9m investment will see 11 sets of points renewed, around 9,000 metres of cabling replaced, timber sleepers upgraded to modern concrete versions, and lineside systems improved across six routes into the station.

Because of the scale of the project, no trains from the south or east will run to Manchester Piccadilly for nine days, spanning Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 February during the half-term period. Services from northern routes and direct trains to Manchester Airport will also be affected, with rail replacement buses operating where trains are unable to run. Transport for Greater Manchester and the city council are working with Network Rail and operators to maintain connectivity, including ticket acceptance on Bee Network buses and Metrolink services.

Passengers are being advised to travel light, expect queues and allow extra time for journeys, as both the station and replacement services are expected to be busy. While platforms 1-12 will be closed during the upgrade, the station concourse will remain open and limited westbound services will operate from platforms 13 and 14, with staff on hand to assist travellers.

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 added:

“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.”

Image: Network Rail