Tuesday 10 Jan 2023
Polystyrene platforms bridge the gap during Piccadilly roof repairs
- Region & Route:
- North West & Central
- | North West & Central: North West
Passengers are being advised of a full station closure at Manchester Piccadilly this Sunday when specialist teams carry out essential roof repairs.
No trains will be running on Sunday 15 January as the 25,000-volt overhead lines which usually power trains need to be switched off for engineers to work at height.
They are continuing strengthening work to the Victorian-built train shed’s gable end which began over Christmas.
Today (Tuesday 10 January) Network Rail has released pictures of that first phase of the work.
Polystyrene blocks were used to bridge the gaps between platforms to build a temporary route along the width of the station so that mobile elevated working platforms (MEWPs) could reach the roof structure.
Twelve 'splice plates' - which join the bottom chords of the steel trusses - are being replaced. They have been specially designed in keeping with the heritage features of the building.
With work continuing on Sunday, rail replacement buses will be operation to keep people on the move.
Manchester Piccadilly’s station concourse and retail units will stay open, but passengers will be directed to the buses on Station Approach to complete their journeys.
People are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and check National Rail Enquiries at www.nationalrail.co.uk or with their individual train operator* before they travel.
Kara Wood, Network Rail’s North West head of performance and customer relationship, said: “We’ve been carrying out a lot of essential work to improve Manchester Piccadilly station over Christmas and New Year and this weekend the teams are coming back to complete the second phase of roof maintenance.
“Because we have to turn the power lines off to safely carry out the structural work it means we can’t run any trains all day on Sunday. I’d like to thank passengers in advance for their patience while we keep people on the move with rail replacement buses and urge people to check National Rail Enquiries so they know how it will impact on their journey.”
Meanwhile further railway upgrades in Greater Manchester will also see changes to journeys in the coming weeks.
On 15 January and 22 January, resurfacing works will be taking place on platforms 13 & 14 and tactile studs are being installed to make it safer for blind and partially sighted people.
Both platforms will be closed to trains to complete the resurfacing work which started over the Christmas break.
Then upgrades on the Manchester Airport line which started last weekend will continue on Sundays in January and February.
Three stations (Mauldeth Road, East Didsbury and Gatley) are having platforms extended to allow for longer trains to call there in the future.
This will see rail replacement buses on the line on January 15 and 22, and February 12, 19, and 26.
Passengers can check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Notes to Editors
*Avanti West Coast:
On Sunday 15 January, Avanti West Coast will operate two trains per hour between London Euston and Stockport – one via Crewe; one via Stoke-on-Trent. A rail replacement service will operate between Stockport and Manchester Piccadilly.
CrossCountry:
Buses replace trains between Stockport and Manchester Piccadilly.
Northern:
Trains that run between Manchester Piccadilly and Crewe / Buxton / Chester will start / terminate at Stockport. A rail replacement bus service will be in operation between Manchester Piccadilly and Stockport.
Trains that run between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport will be replaced by a bus throughout.
TransPennine Express:
The major works taking place at Manchester Piccadilly on the line to Manchester Airport will mean changes to TransPennine Express services. Customers are advised to check before they travel and allow for extra time for their journeys, as they may take longer than usual.
Services from York, Hull, Leeds and Huddersfield will serve Manchester Victoria only.
Services from Sheffield to Manchester Piccadilly will be replaced by alternative transport.
Services from Liverpool to Sheffield/Cleethorpes via Warrington Central will terminate at Manchester Oxford Road.
Services between Glasgow Central/Edinburgh and Manchester Airport will be starting and terminating at Preston, rail replacement services will be in place between Preston and Manchester Airport via central Manchester.
Customers are advised to check before they travel via the TPE website or National Rail Enquiries
Transport for Wales:
Buses will replace trains between Crewe / Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Piccadilly.
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.
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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