Passengers advised to plan their travel ahead of weekend of works

Manchester Victoria station platform 1 & 2

Passengers are being urged to plan their journey and allow more time to travel this weekend.

From this weekend, Manchester Victoria station will be closed to rail passengers every Sunday until 17 April 2016.

The closure will initially allow for work on the Ordsall Chord and improvements on the Calder Valley line. Network Rail will incorporate vital work on other projects to minimise future disruption, including electrification between Manchester and Stalybridge. Metrolink will not be affected and the stop will remain fully accessible to passengers.

Additionally, this weekend sees the first of two final back-to-back weekend closures on the Manchester to Bolton line that will allow Network Rail to complete the Farnworth Tunnel upgrade and remove the speed restriction currently in place. Bus replacement services will be in operation for the duration of the disruption.

There are also a number of events happening in and around the city centre, meaning highways and transport networks are expected to be busier than normal.

Manchester Beer Festival will be running from Wednesday 20 January until 7pm on Saturday 21 January at Manchester Central, Manchester United host Southampton at Old Trafford at 3pm on Saturday and Manchester Arena is host to concerts on both Saturday and Sunday evening.

Head of Rail at TfGM, Amanda White, said: “There are a number of significant improvement works happening this weekend that may affect travel, particularly for rail passengers.

“Both sets of works are vital to futureproof the rail network and will ultimately allow Network Rail and train operating companies to deliver faster more frequent services across the north.

“Metrolink is unaffected by the closure of Manchester Victoria, with the stop there remaining fully accessible, and a full bus replacement service will be operating while work at Farnworth Tunnel is completed.

“I would encourage anyone heading out to plan their journey in advance and give themselves extra travel time, and if you’re out late into the evening please check the last train, tram and bus operating times to ensure you can get home safely.

“People can also follow our social media accounts and those of our partners for the latest information affecting travel or sign up to our weekly email alert, covering major events and planned changes affecting roads, buses, trains and trams.”