Manchester Access: Navigating Piccadilly Station’s Nine-Day Half-Term Closure
Manchester Piccadilly Station is set to undergo a significant transformation that will impact travel for many passengers. The station will close over the February half term, starting on February 14 and lasting until February 22, as part of an £8 million renovation project. This “once-in-a-generation” overhaul aims to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the station.
Details of the Closure
During the nine-day closure, most train services into Manchester Piccadilly will not operate. Travelers coming from the south and east will need to use alternative stations, including Stockport, Crewe, and Guide Bridge. Some services from northern and western routes will also be affected, with trains terminating at Manchester Victoria, Manchester Oxford Road, or Preston.
Scope of Renovation Work
The renovation will include:
- Replacement of 11 sets of points
- Renewal of 9,000 meters of cabling
- Upgrading timber sleepers to concrete
- Modernization of lineside equipment across six lines
This work is expected to significantly improve the station’s operations, which serves approximately 400,000 trains each year.
Reduced Services and Commuting Alternatives
Platforms 1-12 will be closed during the renovation, with limited service available only from Platforms 13 and 14. For the duration of the closure, the timetable will be highly reduced. Trains will run from Platform 13 to destinations such as:
- Liverpool Lime Street via Eccles and Earlestown
- Blackpool North via Bolton
- Chester via Earlestown
Following the closure, further disruptions will occur on March 1 and March 22, affecting services from the start of the day until 1 PM on those dates.
Transport Support Options
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will assist by accepting valid rail tickets on various Bee Network bus and Metrolink services. Notably, Metrolink tram services will remain operational. Passengers can use their rail tickets on the following tram routes:
- Manchester city centre to Altrincham
- Manchester city centre to Ashton Moss
- Manchester city centre to East Didsbury
- Manchester city centre to Manchester Airport
Bee Network bus services will also continue to run, and valid rail tickets can be used on various routes, including:
- 11: Stockport – Altrincham
- 42/42A/42B/42C: Piccadilly Gardens – Reddish North
- 43/103: Piccadilly Gardens – Manchester Airport
- 191: Manchester City Centre – Stockport
Rail Replacement Bus Services
Passengers affected by the station closure can utilize rail replacement bus services connecting key locations like:
- Stockport
- Manchester Airport
- Chesterfield
- Preston
- Bolton
- Huddersfield
Replacement buses will depart from the approach to Piccadilly Station for direct connections to various destinations.
Planning Your Travel
Travelers should prepare for the disruption by planning ahead. While some routes through other stations may be affected, Manchester Victoria and Manchester Oxford Road are expected to remain operational. Utilizing TfGM’s Journey Planner can help facilitate scheduling travel by bus or tram during the closure period.
Stay informed and choose alternative routes wisely to navigate the renovations successfully. For the latest updates, visit Filmogaz.com.
