Network Rail launches a multi-million-pound overhaul at Manchester Victoria to double platform access for 8.3 million passengers — here is what is changing until 2027

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Alice Lorenzato-Lloyd

 –  Editor

 ·  September 17, 2026

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Network Rail has announced that staircases at Manchester Victoria station are being overhauled as part of a multi-million-pound investment. The rail group plans to build two new flights of stairs on the main link bridge between the station concourse and platforms 4, 5 and 6.

The stair upgrade works will double the access from the footbridge to platforms at one of the North West’s busiest stations

Currently there are staircases on one side of the bridge at Manchester Victoria station. However, the upgrade works will see new stairs being added opposite – doubling access from the footbridge to platforms and making it easier for those on foot get to and from their train.

Serving 8.3 million passengers annually according to latest figures, Manchester Victoria is one of the busiest stations in the North West. However, Network Rail says it is working closely with station operator Northern to minimise disruption to people as much as possible.

The stair upgrade work, which will start in the next few weeks with completion set for Spring 2027, is one of several projects as part of the Manchester Rail Upgrade between now and the mid 2030s. The Manchester Rail Upgrade (formerly called the Manchester North West Transformation Project – MNTP) is a major investment programme to boost future rail capacity across the North West, delivering more trains, more seats and improve journey reliability.

When will the stair upgrade works take place at Manchester Victoria station?

Construction of the new stairs will take place from September 2026 until March 2027. While the works won’t impact train services, the look and feel of the station will be different during the work. Platforms 4, 5 and 6 will be shortened and the closed sections will become the worksite for project contractor Story Contracting Ltd.

The lifts on the link bridge will always remain accessible for passengers throughout both phases of the staircase renewal project.

“When complete it will immediately improve how passengers move between the main concourse and platforms.”

Nicky Gill, Network Rail sponsor, said: “The stair and footbridge improvements at Manchester Victoria station are part of a wider investment across the North West to improve and increase train services in the coming years. When complete it will immediately improve how passengers move between the main concourse and platforms. In the longer-term it’ll mean more trains can serve the station in future.

“We’ve carefully planned our work around events at Manchester AO Arena during the project and are working closely with all train operators while it takes place. I’d like to thank people in advance for their patience while we complete these important upgrades.”

Tony Keeling, Northern Manchester Victoria station manager, said: “We’re really pleased this important project is about to get underway as these new staircases will make more space for passengers to access platforms. We’ll be working hard to minimise the impact on passengers while the work is being done and will have staff on hand to provide assistance to anyone who needs it.”

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