This weekend will see major platform renovations across three stations between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport, accommodating more seating and availability for passengers traversing the line.
These works come as part of an £8.5m Network Rail package to improve the passenger experience through the lengthening of platforms at Mauldeth Road, East Didsbury and Gatley stations, with the project set to begin this coming Sunday 8th January, with scheduled culmination by the end of March.
Simon Daly, sponsor at Network Rail, said:
“The work to extend Mauldeth Road, East Didsbury and Gatley stations, and Northern’s planned roll out of longer trains in the future, is crucial to increasing capacity on services across the North West of England.
“This work means that longer trains can transport more passengers from across the North West to Manchester Airport.”
To carry out the upgrades, the line between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport will be closed for six Sundays on:
- January 8, 15 and 22
- February 12, 19 and 26
Chris Jackson, regional director for Northern, said:
“We look forward to the commencement of these works and, upon completion, the improvement they will bring to the customer experience on services between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport. It is always important to invest in rail infrastructure to ensure we can keep the region moving, getting people from where they are to where they want to be.”
Due to the disruptions that these works will cause, bus replacement services will be in place to ensure passenger travel can continue, but people are advised to plan their journey’s ahead of time to mitigate the possible inconveniences.
Kathryn O’Brien, customer experience director for TransPennine Express, said:
“The improvements taking place at Mauldeth Road, East Didsbury and Gatley stations are welcome news, allowing for more customers to travel on this busy route.
“However, until the platform lengthening work is completed, there will be significant disruption for those customers using our services. A rail replacement bus service will be in place, and we strongly advise customers planning to travel on these services to plan ahead and allow extra time, as journeys may take longer than usual.”
People are also advised of important work to Manchester Piccadilly’s roof, which means no trains will run from the station on Sunday 15 January.
Then on Sunday 22 January platforms 13 and 14 will be closed to trains to complete resurfacing work which started over the Christmas break, meanwhile Salford Central station is closed for vital upgrade work until summer.
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