Major disruption to trains due to Manchester Piccadilly station closure

Passengers using Manchester Piccadilly, the North West’s busiest railway station, are being urged to plan their journeys carefully this February ahead of a once-in-a-generation track and signalling overhaul.

Trains from Glossop and Hadfield will terminate at Guide Bridge during the work, so passengers on these routes are advised to plan ahead.

Network Rail teams will begin a major upgrade on Saturday 14th February, targeting the southern approach to the station. The work involves replacing worn tracks, points, and signalling systems - some of which date back to the 1980s. Faults in this section currently affect nearly every service into Manchester Piccadilly, so the improvements are expected to boost reliability for passengers.

The £7.9 million project includes:

•  Replacing 11 sets of points
•  Renewing 9,000 metres of cabling
•  Upgrading timber sleepers with modern concrete equivalents
•  Updating lineside equipment across six lines

Because of the scale of the work, no trains from the south and east will run into Manchester Piccadilly between Saturday 14th and Sunday 22nd February. Services from across the north and direct trains to Manchester Airport will also be affected.

During this period, passengers are advised to travel light, allow extra time, and expect queues, as stations and rail replacement services will be very busy.

Network Rail has coordinated with train operators, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Manchester City Council to develop alternative travel options. Details are available via the online journey planner app, and where trains cannot run, rail replacement buses will operate. TfGM will support passengers with ticket acceptance on a range of Bee Network bus and Metrolink services along affected routes.

While the train shed (platforms 1–12) will close, the station concourse will remain open, and a limited service westbound from platforms 13 and 14 will continue. Staff will be on hand to help passengers coordinate with buses and Metrolink.

Rebecca Rathore, Network Rail’s North West route strategy director, said:

“We’re investing £7.9 million in renewing the Piccadilly corridor, a stretch of track critical to the journeys of around 400,000 trains into Manchester every year. This work will significantly reduce disruption and provide a more reliable railway. We’ve worked closely with train operators, TfGM, and Manchester City Council to develop alternative travel plans. Please plan your journey in advance and allow extra time.”

Simon Elliott, Network Director Rail at TfGM, added:

“This investment is crucial for a reliable and resilient railway that supports passengers, freight, and the city-region’s economic growth. We are supporting people to move across Greater Manchester with ticket acceptance on Bee Network buses and Metrolink on affected routes.”

For more information, passengers can contact Network Rail’s national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.