Passengers advised of Piccadilly platform upgrades in September: Platforms 13 and 14 completed platform improvements

Wednesday 16 Aug 2023

Passengers advised of Piccadilly platform upgrades in September

Region & Route:
North West & Central
| North West & Central: North West

Passengers are being advised of changes to journeys while platforms 13 and 14 at Manchester Piccadilly station are resurfaced this September.

Network Rail teams are returning to the station’s through platforms to complete work started earlier this year to install tactile studs and improve safety markings.

Both platforms will need to close for the work on:

  • Sunday 3 September
  • Sunday 24 September
  • Sunday 1 October

It means there will be no train services between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport on those days – but rail replacement buses will keep passengers on the move*.

People are advised to allow extra time for their journey, and to check before travelling at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “We know there’s never an ideal time to close the railway, but these Sundays are the least disruptive time to carry out the important resurfacing and installation of tactile studs on platforms 13 and 14 at Manchester Piccadilly so blind and partially sighted people can safely get on and off trains.

“I’d like to thank passengers in advance for their patience while we complete the important accessibility upgrades and urge people to check National Rail Enquiries in advance so they know what to expect from their journey.”

Fairfield Street below will also see traffic lights in place as a crane will be used to lift materials onto the elevated platforms above street level.

Passengers are encouraged to visit www.nationalrail.co.uk to plan their journey in advance of the work.

Notes to Editors

*Alternative travel during Manchester Piccadilly platform upgrades

During normal operation, platforms 13 and 14 allow up to 14 trains per hour to briefly stop and then run straight through to Manchester Airport, Liverpool, North Wales, Wigan, Southport, Bolton, Blackpool, the Lakes, the North East and Scotland. During the closure for the essential resurfacing work, here is how each train operator will keep their passengers on the move:

Northern:

Blackpool North – Manchester Airport: Trains will start / terminate at Manchester Oxford Road.

Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere – Manchester Airport: Trains will start / terminate at Manchester Oxford Road.

Liverpool Lime Street – Manchester Airport / Wilmslow: Trains will start / terminate at Manchester Victoria.

Buses will be provided between Bolton and Manchester Airport and between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport / Wilmslow.

TransPennine Express:

There will be no TransPennine Express train services between Manchester Airport and Preston or between Manchester Airport and Manchester Victoria.

A replacement bus service will operate to / from Manchester Airport.

Check before you travel: 

You can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner

Replacement Bus Travel Advice: 

For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use this page

You can find the location of your bus replacement by checking station signs or by searching for your station on our station information pages

Please be advised that, on occasion, replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - North West & Central Region
07740 782954
NWCmediarelations@networkrail.co.uk

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