Southport rail users warned of closures as Salford Crescent works begin

Passengers and motorists are being advised of rail and road closures in 2025.

Network Rail is investing £21m to build an additional, third platform at Salford Crescent station.

The new, extra platform will improve passenger flow and reduce train delays by allowing more flexibility for trains travelling through central Manchester and across the country.

Salford Crescent station is on the busy Manchester to Preston line, with services calling from across the North West into Manchester and Manchester Airport.

In 2022/23 the station handled almost 1.2 million entries and exits making it one of the busiest stations in Greater Manchester. 

The platform will give signallers more options to ease “traffic jams” through the station and the busy central Manchester rail network.

To carry out this work safely, from today (13 January 2025), a section of University Road West under the bridge is closed in both directions for around a year. A diversionary route is in place to minimise local disruption and access to properties will always be available.

Ben Porter, Network Rail sponsor, said: “The new third platform at Salford Crescent station will mean signallers can better organise how trains move through the area. Because of this work, passengers will have smoother, more reliable journeys both through Salford and across the North West.

“Closing part of University Road West is an essential part of how we can safely and efficiently deliver this upgrade.

“We’re sorry for the inconvenience this will cause for some drivers in Salford. We’re grateful for your patience while the work takes place.”
Network Rail has worked closely with Salford City Council on a diversionary route to minimise local disruption and make sure people can access their properties.

Councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development said: “The addition of a third platform at Salford Crescent station is a significant investment in our vision for the city of Salford as we continue to regenerate and rejuvenate our existing transport infrastructure to meet the future demands from our commuter and commercial stakeholders.”

“Working with our project partners we have put plans in place to restrict disruption to people’s journeys through the area as much as possible and would thank everyone for their patience.”

“The new platform will offer passengers an enhanced experience when using the station, future proofing the facilities and offering an innovative improvement that will enhance our connectivity locally, regionally and nationally.”
Network Rail is reminding passengers that Salford Crescent station will close for several weekends between March and September 2025. The work will be complete in 2026. 

Work to improve Salford Central station is also taking place this year. Network Rail is working with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) on a £10m project to deliver important accessibility upgrades and improvements to the station building*.

The station will include new customer information points. There will also be signage for passengers to join up with the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s vision for an integrated public transport system.

Simon Elliott, Head of Rail at TfGM, said: "As part of Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) ongoing commitment to enhancing the transport infrastructure across Greater Manchester, we welcome the significant improvement and investment planned with Network Rail’s work at Salford Crescent and TfGM’s at Salford Central.

“This investment in Salford will not only improve the passenger experience but also contribute to a more reliable and connected network for everyone. Together, these upgrades are a vital part of our wider ambition to improve our integrated and sustainable transport system for the future."
To allow the work to be completed, Salford Central station will be closed from 10 February 2025– 21 April 2025.

Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern in the North West, said: “We welcome this investment and the long-term benefits it will bring to our customers using Salford Crescent and Salford Central stations.

“We are working with Network Rail and TfGM to ensure customers are still able to get where they want to be during the improvement works and we thank them in advance for their patience.
Passengers are advised to check before weekend travel in Salford this year as the work at both stations affects some weekend services.

To stay informed about the work, visit www.networkrail.co.uk/salford.

Notes to Editors
There will be no rail services across Salford on several weekends throughout 2025:

March 2025

Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 March
Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 March
Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 March
Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 March
April 2025

Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 April
Sunday 20 April
Sunday 17 April
May 2025

Sunday 4 May
Saturday 17 – Sunday 18 May
September 2025

Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 September
*This work will deliver a new customer ticket office and modernisation of the station building. It will also see a covered walkway added from the lift to platform 1 and more accessible toilets built.
Contact information