Busy Piccadilly platforms to get £5.1m festive upgrade

PREPARATORY work for upgrades on platforms 13/14 at Manchester Piccadilly began in November, with the delivery of materials to a secure area. In a £5.1 million scheme, Network Rail will undertake work on the platform surfaces, provide clearer markings, and make changes to the raised platform edges to make them safer for visually impaired people. A new drainage system will also be installed. To carry out the work, the island platform – one of the busiest at the station – will be closed for 10 days between December 25 and January 3, and again on January 22/23. Passengers will be able to alight at Manchester Oxford Road or change at Stockport for Manchester Airport. However, on some days, TransPennine services to/from Manchester Airport will begin or terminate at Preston. In addition, £1.5 million is being spent on repairs to the main station roof at Piccadilly, with the station closed on December 25-27 and again on January 15/16.