During the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday, train services around Manchester will be severely disrupted.
A 132-year-old signal box near Philips Park will be removed, with control of the signalling equipment moving to Manchester's state-of-the-art rail operating centre.
As part of the signalling upgrade, 29 new signals will be installed. Network Rail will also replace nearly 4 km of track and secure over 2.8 km of overhead wires.
Over 450 engineers will work around the clock from Thursday, 2nd June, ready for the railway to reopen on Monday, 6th June. People needing to travel between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge during this time should plan ahead and check their journey with National Rail Enquiries.
Service alterations:
Thursday, 2nd June
- Buses replace trains between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.
- TPE services to Leeds will be diverted to Manchester Piccadilly.
- Services to Liverpool Lime Street will be diverted to run from Manchester Airport via Manchester Piccadilly.
Friday, 3rd June
- Services to Liverpool Lime Street will be diverted to run to Manchester Airport via Manchester Piccadilly.
- between 0001 and 0700 there will be no train services running to or from Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Airport, and limited rail replacement buses will run.
Friday, 3rd, and Saturday, 4th June
- There will be no trains from Manchester Victoria to Chester via Warrington Bank Quay.
- There will be no peak-time services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria.
Saturday, 4th, and Sunday, 5th June
- Industrial action by the RMT Union will affect TransPennine Express Services.
- There will be a much-reduced service between Manchester Piccadilly, Leeds, and York only.
Friday, 3rd until Sunday, 5th June
- There will be no trains to or from Manchester Victoria on any route.
- Buses will replace trains between Manchester Victoria and Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge, Rochdale, and Salford Central, which is a short walk from Manchester's central shopping area.
- TransPennine Express services to and from Leeds will be diverted to run to Manchester Piccadilly.
Neil Holm, Transpennine Route Upgrade Director for Network Rail, said:
“This major investment will unlock more reliable journeys for rail passengers in Manchester, as well as the potential for faster trains in the future.
“I know that people will be travelling across the country to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, so I'm sorry if our work impacts their plans. We've worked with our train operating partners to plan alternative routes and bus replacements to keep disruption to a minimum.”
Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, said:
“This is another key step for the rail industry towards delivering a railway fit for the 21st Century and the work over the Jubilee Bank Holiday will help deliver better reliability for our customers.
“Due to the major engineering work taking place, there will be a number of service alterations for TransPennine Express services. Our customers are advised to allow for additional time for journeys and to check carefully for the latest advice before they travel. Ongoing strike action by the RMT union will also affect services on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June, and we are urging people to avoid travelling on our services on those dates and to travel either side of the weekend instead.”
Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said:
“This is another big milestone for the improvement of the railway in the north. Alongside this there are other projects taking place over the extended weekend and with large events and potentially nice weather taking place, we urge customers to check before they travel so they can plan their route.”
