Starting next Saturday, 15th June, several platforms will be closed at Manchester Piccadilly station that will result in changes to the normal timetabled platforms for arrivals and departures.

The changes are necessary because Network Rail engineers will be installing extra netting on the station’s iconic glass roof.

The additional netting is an interim measure to keep passengers safe while long-term plans for maintenance of the station roof are determined.

The current netting is now 25 years old, starting to deteriorate, and showing signs of wear and tear. The work will continue until October, it will be carried out in stages to reduce the impact on passengers.

To minimise disruption to passengers, the work has been scheduled to be carried out in six stages between June and October.

The order has been chosen to prioritise the safety of passengers, maintain access to the busiest platforms, and operational considerations for train operators. 

While the work is being carried out, the relevant platforms will be closed to passengers and trains will be diverted to alternative platforms as follows:

• From Saturday, 15th June to Saturday, 6th July – Stage 1 when platforms 11 and 12 will be closed.
• From Saturday, 6th July to Saturday, 27th July – Stage 2 when platforms 9 and 10 will be closed.
• Stages 3 to 6 will entail the closures of platforms 1 to 8, but the closure schedule is yet to be confirmed.

To ensure the safety of engineers while they access the station roof and install the netting, they will use a system of raised platforms and ropes.

These closures follow work last year to strengthen the gable end of the Victorian-built train shed.

Passengers should also be aware that platform allocations may have been changed because of the new timetable that was introduced on Sunday, 2nd June.

We are doing this work in phases so we can keep the station open to passengers.

While some platforms will be closed as we install new netting, the majority of the station will be unaffected. Passengers should check www.nationalrail.co.uk  before they travel.

Kara Wood, acting route strategy director for Network Rail’s North West route