Network Rail has completed the work to upgrade the lift giving access to platforms 13 and 14 at Manchester Piccadilly station.

The lift renewal project began in early 2022, and major train operators whose services use the platforms welcomed the project’s completion.

Platforms 13 and 14 allow up to 14 trains per hour to run straight through the station to Manchester Airport, Liverpool, North Wales, Wigan, Southport, Bolton, Blackpool, the Lakes, the North East, and Scotland.

Work will soon begin on a new Assisted Travel Lounge at the station, which will open later this year.

Scott Green, station manager at Manchester Piccadilly, said:

“I’d like to thank all our passengers for their patience while the important lift renewal work took place. I understand it has been challenging, particularly for people who need step-free access to platforms 13 and 14.

“This investment into the lift at Manchester Piccadilly station will greatly improve reliability for passengers.”

Stephen Brookes MBE, rail policy adviser for Disability Rights UK, said:

“Station lift replacement or engineering work is one of the most disruptive barriers facing disabled people, particularly those with mobility restrictions. However, because our pan-disability group were included in the project planning and were able to give advice on mitigation requirements and publicity, the work has been completed with an absolute minimum of inconvenience.

“We thank Network Rail and the Piccadilly team and look forward to a wider rollout of such successful cooperative relationships across Network Rail.”

Chris Jackson, regional director for Northern, said:

“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. These improvements to access for Platforms 13 and 14 at Manchester Piccadilly will make a real difference to the passenger experience and are very much welcomed.”

Natasha Marsay, accessibility and integration manager for TransPennine Express, said:

“It’s great to see this investment into improving the quality and reliability of the lifts for platforms 13 and 14 at Manchester Piccadilly. We want to thank our customers for their patience while the improvement work took place. During the work, we have worked closely alongside Network Rail to keep disruption for customers to a minimum.”

Neil Grabham, customer services director for East Midlands Railway, said:

“We’re delighted that the lift renewal project is now complete.

“We worked with Network Rail to keep disruption to a minimum and would like to thank our passengers for their patience whilst this work took place.

“Our passengers that require step-free access can now benefit from the new and more reliable lifts at Manchester Piccadilly railway station.”