Today, Thursday, 25th May the government has announced a £72 million package of improvements for the railways in Manchester that will result in fewer delays and more reliable trains.

The announcement was made at Manchester Victoria Station by Rail Minister Huw Merriman.

These improvements are the latest of four infrastructure upgrades designed to improve train services across the region while supporting productivity and economic growth.

Included in these improvements is a third platform at Salford Crescent station and track improvements across north Manchester to help reduce delays and bottlenecks and overcrowding at stations.

At Manchester Victoria Station, extra entry and exit points to platforms will be installed, to make it easier for passengers to pass through the station at busy times.

Over the next decade, train services in Manchester are set to be transformed thanks to the efforts the Manchester Task Force, which is a cross-industry body that includes representatives of:

• Network Rail;
• Transport for Greater Manchester;
• Transport for the North;
• local train operators.

So that the improvements can be delivered more quickly, along with providing value for money for taxpayers, Network Rail has now withdrawn a previous planning application for rail infrastructure work in the city.

Once the ongoing electrification projects and the TransPennine route upgrade have been completed, they will pave the way for the introduction of an enhanced timetable from the middle of the decade.

In March, the halfway point was reached in the Transpennine Route Upgrade when electrification reached Stalybridge.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “This investment supports our commitment to transforming journeys across the north by achieving much-needed infrastructure improvements in Manchester.

“Today’s funding, alongside major projects like HS2, the TransPennine route upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail, demonstrates our pledge to improving opportunities for passengers across the region and leaving a positive impact for generations to come.

“The funding announced today follows closely on the heels of a new timetable launch in December 2022, which was supported by £84 million of government investment to deliver a better-performing timetable and extended platforms for longer electric trains with more seats to better serve passengers.

“As a result, delays across central Manchester have already decreased by 40% compared to 2019/20 levels, which exceeds initial expectations.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “This new investment will help make train services more reliable for the people of Manchester and beyond, marking another milestone in a decade’s worth of rail improvements across the region.

“An efficient railway is key to levelling up and the improvements achieved through this package will help boost local economies and connect people to opportunities, as well as friends and family.

“We have asked the task force to consider alternative options to better serve passengers and support the £26 million already injected to improve services at Manchester Piccadilly, Airport and Oxford Road stations.”

Network Rail’s Tim Shoveller said: “Today’s announcement is really positive, allowing us to get on with fixing the infrastructure around central Manchester so we can run trains more reliably.

“The rail industry has come together to work on these proposals, building into a long-term vision that will get the best for our passengers and freight users alike.

“We also have ambitious plans for the future of Manchester Oxford Road. We’re removing our previous planning application so we can move forward with a new approach, something we’ll be consulting residents and businesses on later in the year.

“This isn’t the only way the government is investing in Manchester. The recent trailblazer devolution deal committed to supporting reforming local rail in the region, including pilots of pay-as-you-go ticketing and integrated London-style transport on the Bee network.”

“Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: There is a massive opportunity to change rail journeys for people and businesses in Greater Manchester and the North for the better, and this infrastructure investment is a welcome next step to help make that happen.

“Through the task force and our trailblazer deal, we will continue working with government and the industry to help shape the comprehensive package of improvements needed to transform rail travel and support our growing economy, so that we can create more jobs and homes.”