Piccadilly corridor renewal

In February 2026, we’re investing £7.9m to improve tracks, points and signalling systems on the southern approach to Manchester Piccadilly station – delivering better, more reliable journeys for passengers

What work is taking place?

Passengers using the North West’s busiest railway station are being given advance notice of once-in-a-generation track and signalling upgrades taking place in February next year.

Nearly eight million pounds (£7.9m) is being invested to improve tracks, points and signalling systems on the southern approach to Manchester Piccadilly station which date back to the 1980s.

Teams will replace 11 sets of points, renew timber sleepers with modern, concrete equivalents and bring lineside equipment bang up to date across six lines to improve future journeys for passengers and freight.

Investment in this critical stretch of track has been long awaited, as any issues with the ageing infrastructure can disrupt all trains running in and out of Manchester.

When is the work taking place?

The main work takes place over nine days during February half term, from Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 February 2026. During this time, there will be no trains from the south and east of the city into Manchester.

How will this work affect me?

The scale of the work spanning all main lines means no trains from the south and east of the city will run into Manchester Piccadilly for nine days over February half term 2026 (Saturday 14 – Sunday 22).

Trains from the north will also be heavily impacted during the essential upgrades as well as direct connections to Manchester Airport station.

While the train shed (platforms 1-12) will close, Manchester Piccadilly station’s concourse will remain open to the public. There will be a limited service westbound from platforms 13 and 14. Staff will be on hand to coordinate bus and Metrolink journeys.

During this time, we are advising passengers to travel light, allow extra time for their journey and be prepared to queue, as stations and rail replacement services are expected to be very busy. 

We have worked with train operators, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Manchester City Council to develop an alternative travel plan during the closure, to keep passengers moving smoothly to their destination. 

You can plan your journey on the . 

Changes to train services 

From the south of Manchester: 

• All Avanti West Coast Main Line services to Manchester will terminate at Stockport. 
• All Cross Country services from the south and south west to Manchester will terminate at Stockport. 
• A limited service will call at Manchester Airport from Crewe. All other airport services will be replaced by buses. 
• Services from South Wales to Manchester will terminate at Crewe. Onward connections will be available. 

To the east of Manchester: 

• Services from Glossop and Hadfield will terminate at Guide Bridge. 
• Fast services from Sheffield will terminate at Stockport. 
• Stopping services from Sheffield will terminate at Guide Bridge. 
• Services from Leeds and Huddersfield will only travel to Manchester Victoria. 

From the north and west of Manchester: 

• Services from North Wales and Chester will terminate at Manchester Oxford Road via Warrington Bank Quay. 
• Services from Liverpool and Warrington Central will terminate at Manchester Oxford Road. 
• Trains from Preston and Bolton will terminate at Manchester Victoria or Manchester Oxford Road. 
• TransPennine Express services from Scotland will terminate at Preston. 
• Services from Chester via Northwich will terminate at Altrincham. 

Rail replacement information 

Rail replacement bus services will run between Manchester Piccadilly and: 

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• Manchester Airport (some via Gatley/Burnage/East Didsbury) 
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Rail replacement bus services will run between Manchester Airport and: 

• Warrington Bank Quay via Warrington Central 
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• Manchester Piccadilly 
• Huddersfield via ³§³Ù´Ç³¦°ì±è´Ç°ù³ÙÌý

Rail replacement bus services will run between Manchester Victoria and: 

• Guide Bridge 
• Rose Hill Marple via Romiley 

Passengers for Altrincham are advised to use the Bee Network Metrolink connection. 

Why is the work needed?

Investment in this critical stretch of track has been long awaited, as any issues with the ageing 1980s infrastructure can disrupt all trains running in and out of Manchester, causing delays for passengers.

In 2024, there were 35 faults on this stretch of track. Therefore, this much-needed critical life-expired track infrastructure renewal is designed to improve train performance in Greater Manchester and on the West Coast Main Line.

Get in touch

For more information or to get in touch with us, please contact us by visiting our contact us page or by calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

Did you know?

• Last year, passengers made over 38 million journeys in and out of Manchester Piccadilly. It is estimated that the Piccadilly corridor carries as much as 30 million tonnes of traffic each year. Each day, around 908 passenger services and 28 freight cross this busy path.
• In 2024, there were 35 faults on this stretch of track.
• During the financial year 2023-2024, 38,398,196 journeys through Manchester Piccadilly station were recorded.