Major UK train station shuts for 9 DAYS for ‘once in generation’ overhaul worth £8million
A MAJOR UK train station has closed for nine days as planned upgrades get underway.
Rail passengers can expect disruptions as the bustling travel hub undergoes a “once-in-a-lifetime overhaul”.
Network Rail is investing £8 million in an upgrade to Manchester Piccadilly train station in an effort to reduce future service disruptions.
Track and signalling upgrades are scheduled to take place from Saturday, 14 February to 22 February.
The southern approach to station, which was built in the 1980s, will see significant upgrades to a stretch of track.
Network Rail previously explained that issues with its outdated infrastructure can disrupt all trains running in and out of Manchester.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.
Manchester Piccadilly has advised passengers that no trains from the south and east of the city will run into the station over the half-term break.
Some trains from across the north will also be impacted as well as direct connections to Manchester Airport station, which were impacted by a signal failure earlier this week.
Services normally running to and from Manchester Piccadilly will terminate at other stations, including Stockport, over the next nine days.
Platforms 1-12 will be closed but the concourse will remain open to the public, while there will be a limited service westbound from platforms 13 and 14.
Julien Dehornoy, Network Rail’s North West & Central deputy regional managing director, said: “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.”
