Network Rail has announced that ‘once-in-a-generation’ track and signalling upgrades are set to take place at the busiest railway station in Manchester and the North West, Manchester Piccadilly. As a result, Manchester Piccadilly station will be closed for nine days.
What work is taking place at Manchester Piccadilly station?
Nearly eight million pounds (£7.9m) is being invested to improve tracks, points and signalling systems on the southern approach to Manchester Piccadilly station, which date back to the 1980s. Teams will replace 11 sets of points, renew timber sleepers with modern, concrete equivalents and update lineside equipment across six lines to improve future journeys for passengers and freight.
Why is the work needed?
Investment in this critical stretch of track has been long-awaited, as any issues with the ageing 1980s infrastructure can disrupt all trains running in and out of Manchester, causing delays for passengers. In 2024, there were 35 faults on this stretch of track. Therefore, this much-needed track infrastructure renewal is designed to improve train performance in Greater Manchester and on the West Coast Main Line.
When will Manchester Piccadilly station be closed?
The main work will take place over nine days during February half term, from Saturday 14 February to Sunday 22 February 2026. During this time, there will be no trains from the south and east of the city into Manchester.
How will the work affect passengers?
Trains from the north will also be heavily impacted during the essential upgrades, as well as direct connections to Manchester Airport station. While the train shed (platforms 1-12) will close, Manchester Piccadilly station’s concourse will remain open to the public. There will be a limited service westbound from platforms 13 and 14.
Alternative travel whilst Manchester Piccadilly is closed
Network Rail – along with train operators, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Manchester City Council – have developed detailed alternative travel plans to keep people on the move over the nine-day closure. These will be released in the coming months so anyone planning to travel over February half-term will know exactly what they can expect from their journey.
Staff will be on hand to coordinate bus and Metrolink journeys.
“Once the job is done, we will have a better, more reliable railway.”
Julien Dehornoy, Network Rail’s North West & Central deputy regional managing 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 are working closely with train operators, TfGM and Manchester City Council on alternative travel plans to keep people on the move, the full details of which will be published in mid-November.”
