Manchester railway’s 21st century signalling overhaul completed

Over the four-day bank holiday, signalling equipment was moved from the 132-year-old signal box near Philips Park, to Manchester’s state-of-the-art rail operating centre.

Neil Holm, Transpennine Route Upgrade Director for Network Rail, said: “This major 21st century signalling overhaul will unlock more reliable journeys for rail passengers in Manchester, as well as the potential for faster trains in the future.  

“I want to say a big thank you to passengers for using alternative travel methods to travel in and out of Manchester while this essential work took place.”

As part of wider improvements in central Manchester over several weekends, engineers also installed:  

• 29 new signals  
• 4000m of new track  
• 2800m of train-powering electric cable.  

This is part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade which will bring faster, more reliable services for passengers travelling between York, Leeds and Manchester. 

Work continues over weekends between Manchester and Stalybridge to upgrade track and install overhead line equipment. Passengers are urged to check before they travel via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator.  

Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, said: “The work over the Jubilee weekend was another key milestone in the Transpennine Route Upgrade; delivering a railway fit for the 21st Century. 

“I would like to thank customers for their cooperation whilst the important work took place.” 

Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said: “This was another big milestone for the railway in the north and we’re grateful for the patience of our customers who found alternative arrangements over the weekend.”

On the following dates buses will replace Northern trains between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge, and TransPennine Express trains to Manchester Victoria will divert to Manchester Piccadilly, on: 

• Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 June 
• Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 June 
• Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 June 
• Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 July 
• Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 July 

• Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 July 
• Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 July 
• Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 July. 

Other TransPennine Express changes to services 

June   

• The local TransPennine Express stopping service between Manchester Piccadilly and Huddersfield will not run. For travel towards to and from Slaithwaite, Marsden, Greenfield, Mossley: These stops will be picked up by the Hull- Manchester services. 
• Services between Manchester and Redcar Central will be diverted to start/terminate at Manchester Piccadilly and will not stop at Manchester Victoria, Manchester Oxford Road, Gatley and Manchester Airport. 
• On Sunday 12 June, industrial relation issues, including action short of a strike by RMT members will affect TransPennine Express services. 
• On Saturday 25 June, industrial action by the RMT Union will affect TransPennine Express Services.   

July 

• The local TransPennine Express stopping service between Manchester Piccadilly and Huddersfield will not run. For travel towards to and from Slaithwaite, Marsden, Greenfield, Mossley: These stops will be picked up by the Hull- Manchester services. 
• Services between Manchester and Sheffield will be diverted via Huddersfield 
• Services between Manchester and Cleethorpes will terminate at Doncaster. 

Photo credit: Network Rail

Download article