Network Rail is warning passengers using Manchester Piccadilly station that it will be busier than usual this weekend because several major events will be taking place in the city.

The Parklife festival will be taking place in Heaton Park, as it did last year and in previous years. Charity event Soccer Aid will be taking place at Old Trafford.

Nearly two hundred thousand people are expected to attend to two events. Large crowds are also expected to attend concerts by Catfish and the Bottlemen on Friday (13 June) and Chris Brown on Sunday (15 June).

Network Rail is advising people who intend to travel through Manchester Piccadilly station to plan their journeys in advance, and in particular, to check when their last train home is scheduled to depart.

Passengers can get up-to-date information from the national rail website or from their train operator ..

Additional railway staff, supplemented by some volunteers, will be available to assist people and ensure effective crowd control.

During the weekend, Manchester Piccadilly station will be closed after the last train has departed from the station. It will reopen when train services start operating again the following morning.

Network Rail is asking passengers travelling on Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday to:

• plan their journey, especially their journey home
• allow extra time for their journey, as it expects there to be long queues to access platforms
• not rely on later trains to travel home, as they will be limited and are expected to be very busy
• treat staff at the station with kindness and respect.

“We want to make sure everyone going to Parklife, Soccer Aid, and gigs across Manchester enjoys themselves, and we’ll be here to make sure you can travel safely by train.

“Please plan your journey in advance and know when your last train is. The station will be closing overnight, so if you need to travel by train to get home, planning ahead on National Rail Enquiries is essential.”

Margaret Edge, Manchester Piccadilly’s station delivery manager