Passengers Warned of Major February Disruption at Manchester Piccadilly

Passengers are being urged to plan ahead and check travel arrangements before setting off as major engineering work brings significant changes to journeys in and out of Manchester Piccadilly next month.

Over a nine-day period starting on Saturday 14 February, Network Rail will carry out a large-scale programme of track, points and signalling renewals on six railway lines approaching the station from the south. The work targets a critical section of infrastructure that feeds into the North West’s busiest rail hub.

The southern approach to Manchester Piccadilly is a key junction for services across the region, and faults in this area can quickly ripple across the wider network. Much of the equipment currently in place dates back to the 1980s, and Network Rail says the £7.9 million investment is essential to improve reliability and reduce unexpected disruption for both passengers and freight services.

As part of the overhaul, engineers will replace eleven sets of points, lay around 9,000 metres of new cabling, upgrade timber sleepers to modern concrete versions, and renew signalling and lineside equipment. Because the work spans all main lines into the station from the south and east, no trains from those directions will be able to run into Manchester Piccadilly between Saturday 14 and Sunday 22 February, coinciding with the half-term break.

During the closure, the main train shed covering platforms 1 to 12 will be shut, although the station concourse will remain open. A limited number of westbound services will continue to operate from platforms 13 and 14. Staff will be available to help passengers transfer to replacement buses and Metrolink Bee Network services.

Services elsewhere across the north will also be affected, including some routes serving Manchester Airport. Network Rail and train operators are advising customers to check journey details in advance and allow extra time, with alternative travel plans developed alongside Transport for Greater Manchester and Manchester City Council.

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."

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."

Image: Network Rail