The railway station at Manchester Airport will close for three weeks in the New Year as work to complete the new fourth platform is carried out, the Lancashire Evening Post has reported.
In order to accommodate the new platform work – which also includes finishing platform improvements with new CCTV and information screens – only two platforms will be in use between Sunday 11th and Saturday 17th January. The station will then be closed to all trains until Monday 9th February.
In January, travellers will face disruption and may have to find alternative ways to reach the airport as Network Rail begins to install the new track and signalling. The authorities will be providing information on replacement buses shortly, the report said.
Wayne Poole, director of passenger services for Manchester Airport, said: ‘We’ll be working with the variety of partners that are involved in the fourth platform works to minimise disruption during the station closures.
We continue to work with transport providers to look at ways to further enhance access to the airport.’
Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: ‘While there is never a good time to close the railway we have worked closely with the airport, Metrolink and train operators to complete this work at a time which will impact the fewest numbers of passengers and I apologise for any short-term inconvenience while we deliver these long-term benefits.’
Transport for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink director, Peter Cushing, said: ‘With the opening of the new airport line in November, the new heavy rail fourth platform will represent an excellent example of heavy and light rail integration at one of the best road and rail connected airports in the country.
‘We are grateful to both Metrolink and rail passengers for their patience while this, ultimately, beneficial work is carried out.’
The platform upgrade, which is part of the £1bn+ investment in the railway, will allow extra services to call at the airport and provide passengers with better access from across the north of England.
