Network Rail and contractor Kier will begin work on a major 115 million GBP investment at Manchester Airport station this winter.
The work is anticipated to improve future connectivity at the hub, and will see significant upgrades delivered between now and 2028.
Upgrades and improvements will include an extension of platforms 1, 2 and 3, upgrades to track layouts on the approach to the station, and modernisation work carried out on train signalling systems.
The new upgrades are intended to create additional capacity, support the operation of more trains and improve railway journeys for future passengers. They form part of the wider Manchester Rail Upgrade, which aims to build a ‘bigger, more reliable and better-connected railway’ for passengers across the North West, whilst supporting future passenger growth and improving connections to the airport.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy, said:Manchester Airport is a vital transport hub and this £115 million investment from government will deliver more reliable services, increase capacity, and improve connections for the millions of passengers who use the station every year.
This is the sort of improvement Great British Railways will be designed to deliver. By bringing track and train closer together under public ownership, we can take a more joined-up approach to investing in the railway, improving performance, putting passengers at the heart of every decision and growing the economy in the North.
The first major stage of the programme will commence on Sunday 6 December 2026, and will see Manchester Airport station temporarily closed for one day. During this time, engineers will install a utility bridge across the railway, which will house electrical cables and allow for a bridge structure currently used by the Manchester Airport Group to be removed at Easter 2027, before a new one is constructed later in the year.
Simon Daly, Network Rail senior sponsor, said:This 115 million GBP investment represents a major commitment to improving one of the country's most important transport interchanges.
Manchester Airport station plays a vital role in connecting people across the country so these improvements will create more capacity for passengers, allow longer trains to serve the station and improve the reliability of services for years to come.
The station closure on 6 December is an important first step in delivering these benefits. We recognise that any disruption is inconvenient and have worked closely with our partners to put plans in place, so passengers are kept on the move.
Network Rail has stated that it will work closely with the Manchester Airport Group, Transport for Greater Manchester and train operators in order to minimise disruption and keep passengers moving during the one day closure. Rail replacement buses will operate between Wilmslow and Manchester Airport, with additional staff on hand to assist customers throughout the day. Metrolink services will not be affected by the work.
