07.08.15
Manchester Victoria upgrades to be finished this month
The £44m overhaul of Manchester Victoria station will be completed by the end of August, after five years of extensive transformation.
Previously voted passengers’ least favourite station, Manchester Victoria has undergone significant alterations including a completely new £16m roof.
Richard Davies, Network Rail programme manager, said: “If you visit Manchester Victoria today you will see that there has been a dramatic change to the station.
“The major work to redevelop the station will be complete towards the end of August 2015. After this time a small team will be on-site to carry out final quality checks.”
In October 2013, Davies gave RTM a tour of the station and worksites managed by principal contractor Morgan Sindall. Though Platforms 1 and 2 of the station were rebuilt in 2010, main works on the upgrade only began three years ago.
When the tour took place the team were still in the demolition phase, with five of the roof sections having been taken down.
Today the finished 10,000sq m roof is made of an advanced plastic membrane designed to significantly increase the amount of natural light in the concourse.
The project also includes a glazed canopy, a new bridge link to Manchester Arena, an expansion to the footbridge, upgraded Metrolink facilities and improved retail facilities. Builders are now completing the resurfacing of the concourse and a sliding front door has been installed.
The station’s official reopening will take place in September after final quality checks are complete.