Passengers are being reminded that essential work to improve rail links across the north will mean closures to two stations in Greater Manchester over the Easter holiday and following week.
The work, part of the Ordsall chord upgrade, means Manchester Victoria and Salford Central stations will be closed from the end of service on Wednesday 23 March 2016 for 11 days, reopening for the first train on Monday 4 April.
While no services will run in and out of Salford Central and Manchester Victoria during this time, alternative city centre stations such as Manchester Piccadilly and Oxford Road will remain open as usual.
Bus replacement services will be provided and the Metro service will still be operating from both stations.
Engineers will be moving existing track on the approach to Manchester Victoria station so that once the 300 metre-long new section of track has been completed, it will be able to connect and fit in with the new track layout.
Over the Easter closure arches supporting the railway will be strengthened to enable heavier loads to be carried in future. Other work will involve widening Middlewood viaduct and installing a new bridge in the same area.
Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “The 11 day closure is necessary to improve the rail network for passengers.
“Once the Ordsall Chord is completed, both Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly will be connected for the first time in history. This will enable better connectivity and faster journeys between the great cities of the North, including Hull, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester.”
Councillor Andrew Fender, chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester committee, said: “The Ordsall Chord project is part of a transformational programme of work that will significantly improve our railway infrastructure and services and, as with all major projects, there will unfortunately be periods of disruption for passengers.
“The closures of Manchester Victoria and Salford Central have been planned to coincide with the Easter school break, when traditionally fewer people will be travelling.
“Replacement bus services will be in operation and other major rail stations of course remain open as usual. Coupled with the frequent Metrolink services – which will not be affected by the closure of Manchester Victoria – Metroshuttle and other bus services that will be operating in and around the city, there are plenty of options to help people get around and I’d encourage anyone intending to travel during this period to plan their journey well in advance.”
Track replacement work taking place between Saturday 2 and Sunday 10 April will also result in changes to services between Manchester Piccadilly and New Mills Central and services between Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield and on Sunday 3 April 2016, improvement works mean there will be no trams operating between the Queens Road and Bury Metrolink stops. Replacement buses will be provided. Manchester United’s Premier League fixture against Everton at Old Trafford will kick off at 4pm that day.
