Network Rail

A MASSIVE UK train station is set to shut for 9 days for a “once-in-a-lifetime overhaul”.

Network Rail are investing £8million in the upgrade in order to reduce future disruptions on train services.

Manchester Piccadilly train station is set to receive track and signalling upgrades in February next year.

The southern approach to station was built in the 1980s and upgrades to its critical stretch of track has been due for some time.

Network Rail explained that issues with its outdated infrastructure can disrupt all trains running in and out of Manchester.

This amounts to around 400,000 trains into the station every year.

SIGNAL FAILURE

Hundreds of rail staff are being paid to argue over who to blame for delays

RAIL CHAOS

‘Do not travel’ warning as train derailment blocks all lines with services axed

In a prior warning to passengers, they have advised that no trains from the south and east of the city will run into Manchester Piccadilly.

This will last for nine days over February half term (Saturday 14 – Sunday 22).

Some trains from across the north will also be impacted as well as direct connections to Manchester Airport station.

Services normally running to and from Manchester Piccadilly will terminate at other stations, including Stockport.

Platforms 1-12 will be closed but the concourse will remain open to the public.

There will be a limited service westbound from platforms 13 and 14.

More detailed information about alternate travel plans are to follow in due course.

Julien Dehornoy, Network Rail’s North West & Central deputy regional managing director, said: “We’re investing £7.9m in renewing the Piccadilly corridor, a stretch of track critical to the journeys of around 400,000 trains into Manchester every year.

“This work is going to significantly reduce disruption for the many passengers who regularly use this route.

“Once the job is done, we will have a better, more reliable railway. 

“The major overhaul over six railway lines can only take place during a full railway closure and we are working closely with train operators, TfGM and Manchester City Council on alternative travel plans to keep people on the move.

“The full details on which will be published in mid-November.” 

A STUNNING UK railway route has officially welcomed back passengers for their journeys – following a £1.4m revamp.

Although this route spans only 26 miles, the overall stretch takes approximately an hour to complete.

The Conwy Valley Line runs across Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog, showcasing breathtaking Welsh scenery including waterfalls and rolling hillsides.

On Monday, October 27, the popular railway line welcomed back its passengers.

Network Rail carried out four weeks worth of intensive engineering work.

This forms part of a £1.4million scheme, intended to strengthen the railway’s resilience during harsh weather conditions.

NEW EU-RIVAL

Eurostar rival FINALLY confirmed and it could run from Manchester & Birmingham

ON TRACK

Forgotten UK train line to reopen after six decades for Europe’s ‘Silicon Valley’

Furthermore, crews have cleared 600,000m2 of vegetation and removed dangerous trees along a track spanning 54 miles.

It is hoped that this will stop fallen trees obstructing the line in the event of a future storm.

In addition to this, Network Rail also tested out an innovative new rail treatment for the Conwy Valley Line.

A gel solution was applied to the rails, which is hoped to break down leaf contamination.

Overall, this gel remains effective for up to seven days before then reactivating with rain.

Network Rail said in a statement: “The Conwy Valley line is one of the most picturesque in Wales, but also one of the most weather-exposed.

“In the past decade, storms have forced the line to close for more than 500 days – disrupting passengers and the transportation of freight goods.”

Describing the rail line, an enthusiastic passenger wrote on TripAdvisor: “It’s utterly spectacular and crams more into an hour than the ECML does into four.

“One of the nicest little tours you can do in the UK is a loop of Chester-Llandudno Jn-Blaenau-Porthmadog-Machynlleth-Shrewsbury-Chester, though you’ll probably need to use a bus rather than the FfR for the middle bit at present.”

More Rail News

Earlier this month, Brits planning to head home for Christmas were warned to brace for weeks of rail chaos.

Commuters and holidaymakers will face more than a fortnight of disruption from Christmas Day through to the New Year.

This will see major stations all caught in the crossfire of an engineering shutdown.

Network Rail says the work will boost the power supply to trains and strengthen the railway’s foundations, but passengers can expect plenty of pain before the gain.

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that a new £2.7million train station is coming to the UK – in a huge boost for a tiny mining town.

A revised plan to modernise train travel in the north of Newcastle-under-Lyme was completed and awaiting council approval.

Developed by East Midlands Railway and National Rail – the £2.7m project is backed by Kidsgrove Town Deal Board.

From the 18th century, Kidsgrove grew around coal mining, although the pits have now closed.

DISLODGED AT LAST

Andrew stripped of Prince title and is forced to quit Royal Lodge

CHEST IN SHOW

I tried £30 ‘miracle buy’ to fix my wrinkly chest… I looked better overnight

The original proposals for the new railway were scrapped due to historical mining issues which would have cost up to £13 million to sort out.

A revised project to upgrade its railway station is only awaiting formal approval from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council reported RailBusinessDaily.

Rail buffs and historians getting up early on Sunday to see first new railway station to open for 100 years

Railway historians and fanatics will flock to a town in Essex at 7am on Sunday morning to see the first new train station on the Eastern main line for 100 years.

Beaulieu Park is the first station to open on this part of the UK network since the 1920s. And rail chiefs are expecting a huge amount of interest from trainspotters and rail buffs alike.

They are particularly pleased because the £175m station is opening four months early. The first train will pull in at 7.20am on Sunday.

And already some excited passengers have bought their tickets for the Colchester to London Liverpool St train to be part of history when it stops at the new station.

Andy Cross, 47, said: “I just want to be part of history. It will be great arriving at the first station on the Eastern mainline in such a long time. I’m sure there will be lots of photographers at Beaulieu Park to capture the moment.”

The station is part of a new super green initiative project near Chelmsford. Martin Beable, Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, said: “We are really looking forward to the opening of Beaulieu Park station, the first new station on the Great Eastern Main Line in over 100 years.

“Beaulieu Park station will benefit from a regular and reliable service of up to four trains per hour during peak times and two trains per hour during off peak periods, making rail travel simple and convenient for passengers.”

Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader at Essex County Council, said: “Essex is pioneering the type of infrastructure-supported growth that’s on the national agenda, being bold and ambitious in our commitment to future-proofing the county and putting investment where it’s most needed.

“The new Beaulieu Park station is testament to this, and the role it will play in transforming travel in this part of Chelmsford and surrounding areas will have a positive impact for years to come.

“The progress being made to build the station is remarkable and I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work to get the project to this stage. I’m very much looking forward to the station opening.”

The new station is set to transform travel north of Chelmsford as it will eases pressure on the existing busy Chelmsford train station and reduces car journeys into the city centre.

The station is planned to be a significant addition to the Beaulieu and Channels neighbourhoods in the north of the city, which form the first phases of the new Chelmsford Garden Community.

4,350 homes already have planning permission as part of the Garden Community. This includes 1,989 new homes which have already been built, along with the Beaulieu Square Neighbourhood Centre providing local shops, community and health services.

This is in addition to the Beaulieu Park School – the first all-through primary and secondary school in Essex.

Beaulieu Park Station will provide easier and quicker access to jobs, helping the economic development of the area and encouraging further investment.

Beable added: “We expect the new station to be a very attractive and popular option for travellers from that part of Essex.”