Advance notice to Southport passengers about Manchester Piccadilly lift work

Passengers are being advised about future work to replace the lift giving access to platforms 13 and 14 at Manchester Piccadilly station.

The lift renewal will make step-free access more reliable to station platforms.

Work will start on Monday 3 January 2022 and take place until Monday 18 April 2022.

Between these dates, the lift will be out of use, however step free access to platforms 13 & 14 will be available via a new stairlift fitted to the staircase on platform 14.

Throughout the work staff will be on hand at the station to assist all passengers who need help getting to and from platforms 13 and 14.

Where possible, passengers who need step-free access or assistance with luggage are recommended to book assisted travel in advance with their train operator.

Alternatively, tickets will be valid for passengers to travel via the nearest step-free stations while the essential lift upgrade is taking place.

Scott Green, Network Rail head of stations and passenger experience in the North West, said: “This investment into the lift at Manchester Piccadilly station will greatly improve reliability for passengers.“We understand the upgrade will be disruptive for people and we are working closely with our train operator colleagues to make everyone’s journey as easy as it can be during the work.“I’d urge anyone planning to travel via platforms 13 or 14 during the 15-week project to plan ahead.”

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “Our customers are at the heart of all we do and it’s fantastic to see improvements taking place at one of the key stations that helps to connect people across the north of England.“While the work is carried out Northern, along with our partners at Network Rail and other train operators, will do everything we can to assist our customers to ensure that their journey is as smooth as possible.“We really appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding during the works and encourage them to plan ahead, check before they travel and leave a little extra time for journeys while the lifts are being upgraded.”

Kathryn O’Brien, customer experience director at TransPennine Express, said: “It’s great to see that this investment is being made into improving the quality and reliability of the lifts to platform 13 & 14 at Manchester Piccadilly. While these improvement works are ongoing, we’d advise our customers to plan ahead, especially if they are travelling with any luggage or prams. Customers that require travel assistance can book this through our website.”

Neil Grabham, customer services director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We are working with Network Rail to minimise disruption whilst the lift renewal works are taking place.“We would recommend that all passengers leave extra time to make journeys and to check our website for updates from January to April 2022. "We’d like to thank station users for their patience whilst the work takes place". 

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

Passengers are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys and to plan in advance on the National Rail Enquiries journey planner at www.nationalrail.co.uk