Major rail improvements for Manchester

Network Rail has announced a series of major improvements for two of Manchester’s biggest stations, Piccadilly and Oxford Road.

Under plans released as part of the Northern Hub development project, Piccadilly will get two additional through platforms, whilst Oxford Road will be widened and lengthened to accommodate longer trains.

This work will allow four extra trains per hour to cross Manchester’s city centre railway bottleneck, the line between the current platforms 13 and 14 at Piccadilly and the through platforms at Oxford Road. The improvements will be built around existing Grade II listed infrastructure, including the cast iron bridge over Gloucester Street and the Star and Garter public house adjacent to Piccadilly.

There is however no mention of the former Manchester Mayfield terminus, which was recently touted for reopening as part of the very same expansion plans. The visuals provided by Network Rail indicate a new station entrance on this site, and would appear to indicate that it’s now earmarked for demolition.

The consultation is now underway – if all goes to plan, trains will be running on the new infrastructure by December 2018.

Looking down the arches at Oxford Road. Credit: Network Rail

Aerial shot of the new overbridge at Oxford Road. Credit: Network Rail

New Platforms 15 and 16 at Piccadilly. Credit: Network Rail

What do you think about the plans for Oxford Road and Piccadilly? Long time coming or too little too late? Drop a comment below, or tweet us – @transportdsn.