One of UK’s busiest stations shuts for NINE DAYS for £8m ‘as soon as in era’ makeover

It’s the UK’s second-busiest station outside of London, with around 120,000 passengers travelling through it every day.

But Manchester Piccadilly has shut its doors for nine days as part of a £7.9 million ‘once in a generation’ makeover.  

Since Saturday, 14th February, there have been no services to or from the station to London, the Midlands, or to the east across the Pennines.

Only platforms 13 and 14 are open, running trains on a limited timetable to and from Liverpool Lime Street via Eccles and Earlestown, Blackpool North via Bolton, and Chester via Earlestown. 

All Avanti West Coast Main Line and Cross Country services to Manchester from the south are terminating at Stockport. 

From the east of Manchester, services are stopping at Guide Bridge or Stockport. 

This limited schedule will continue until 22nd February, and will also be the case on the mornings of 1st and 22nd March.

The reason for the closure is six railway lines serving the station are being improved, with tracks and signalling systems in the area around the station being modernised – as some hasn’t been touched since the 1980s.

Manchester Piccadilly station has shut its doors for nine days as part of a £7.9 million ‘once in a generation’ makeover

Teams will replace 11 sets of points, renew timber sleepers with modern, concrete equivalents and bring lineside equipment up to date.

It’s hoped the £7.9m investment will make the railway more reliable and, in turn, reduce unplanned disruption for passengers and freight. 

National Rail explained: ‘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 critical life-expired track infrastructure renewal is designed to improve train performance in Greater Manchester and on the West Coast Main Line.’

While Manchester Piccadilly is closed, there are rail replacement buses in place.

This includes services running between Piccadilly and Stockport, Manchester Airport and Chesterfield – as well as between Manchester Victoria and Guide Bridge, and Rose Hill Marple via Romiley.

There will also be rail replacement buses between Manchester Airport and Warrington Bank Quay via Warrington Central, Preston, Bolton, Manchester Piccadilly and Huddersfield via Stockport.

Only platforms 13 and 14 are open, running trains on a limited timetable to and from Liverpool Lime Street via Eccles and Earlestown, Blackpool North via Bolton, and Chester via Earlestown

It’s expected that other nearby stations will become busier than usual – as well as the still-open platforms 13 and 14.

Network Rail said: ‘During this time, we are advising passengers to travel light, allow extra time for their journey and be prepared to queue, as stations and rail replacement services are expected to be very busy.

We have worked with train operators, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Manchester City Council to develop an alternative travel plan during the closure, to keep passengers moving smoothly to their destination.   

You can plan your journey on the National Rail Enquiries website.’