Network Rail has started a major staircase renewal project at Manchester Victoria station as part of a multi-million-pound investment designed to improve passenger journeys and support future rail growth across the North West.
The scheme will see two new flights of stairs installed on the station's main link bridge, which connects the concourse with platforms 4, 5 and 6. Work is scheduled to run from September 2026 until spring 2027 and has been carefully planned to minimise disruption for passengers.
At present, access between the bridge and platforms is provided by staircases on one side of the structure. The addition of new staircases on the opposite side will effectively double access capacity, improving passenger circulation and reducing congestion during busy periods.
Manchester Victoria is one of the North West's busiest railway stations, welcoming approximately 8.3 million passengers each year. The project forms part of wider investment plans aimed at increasing rail capacity and improving station infrastructure throughout the region.
Construction activity will take place between September and March. Train services will continue to operate as normal, although passengers will notice changes within the station environment while works are underway.
To create a safe construction zone for principal contractor Story Contracting Ltd, sections of platforms 4, 5 and 6 will be temporarily shortened throughout the programme.
Importantly, lift access from the link bridge will remain available throughout both phases of the project, ensuring step-free routes continue to be accessible for passengers who require them.
Network Rail is working closely with station operator Northern and other train operators to reduce the impact of the works as much as possible, including coordinating activity around major events at Manchester's AO Arena.
Nicky Gill, Network Rail sponsor, said:
"The stair and footbridge improvements at Manchester Victoria station are part of a wider investment across the North West to improve and increase train services in the coming years. When complete it will immediately improve how passengers move between the main concourse and platforms. In the longer-term it’ll mean more trains can serve the station in future.
“We’ve carefully planned our work around events at Manchester AO Arena during the project and are working closely with all train operators while it takes place. I’d like to thank people in advance for their patience while we complete these important upgrades.”
Tony Keeling, Northern Manchester Victoria station manager, said:
“We're really pleased this important project is about to get underway as these new staircases will make more space for passengers to access platforms.
“We’ll be working hard to minimise the impact on passengers while the work is being done and will have staff on hand to provide assistance to anyone who needs it.”
Dan Smithson, Story Contracting head of operations, said:
“We're proud to be playing our part in improving Manchester Victoria Station for the millions of people who use it each year.
“Delivering major improvements in a live station environment requires careful planning and close collaboration between all project partners. Our focus will be on delivering the work safely and efficiently, while keeping disruption to passengers and day-to-day station operations to a minimum throughout the project.”
The Manchester Victoria staircase enhancement is one of several projects being delivered through the wider Manchester Rail Upgrade programme, which aims to increase capacity and improve rail services across the North West into the mid-2030s.
Image and video credit: Network Rail
