Network Rail has announced that volunteers from the organisation will be taking part in the upcoming Manchester Pride, which will take place from Friday, 23 August to Monday, 26 August.

The volunteers will participate in the parade itself and will also be greeting those who arrive at Manchester Piccadilly by handing out branded merchandise.

It is planned that over 40 volunteers will be involved in the celebrations, including members of Archway, Network Rail’s 1400-member strong LGBTQ+ network.

They are set to be welcoming over 300,000 passengers during the weekend, including both those heading to Pride and those attending other events.

Representatives from TransPennine Express will be involved in the parade too.

The operator has also previously shown its support for the LGVTQ+ community by creating a special Pride livery for one of its Nova 1 trains.

Manchester Piccadilly, which is owned and managed by Network Rail, is likely to be particularly crowded this weekend as sports fans will also be passing through the station on their way to football and cricket at Old Trafford, while many music lovers heading to Creamfields and the Leeds Festival will also be taking trains from the stations.

Despite it being a bank holiday week, the majority of services into Manchester will be operating as usual.

Network Rail has, however, warned that there may be disruption due to ongoing roof work at Manchester Piccadilly resulting in platform closures.

We’re delighted to be welcoming the LGBTQ+ community and allies to travel to Manchester’s Pride festival weekend by rail. It is an honour to have so many members of staff marching in the annual parade.

Our volunteers will be at the station to welcome you and hand out some freebies. Although most lines are open over the bank holiday, there is engineering work between Stoke-on-Trent and Macclesfield. Please check before you travel as we’re expecting services to be busy.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director