Manchester Airport station to receive £115M rail upgrade

Network Rail has announced a £115 million investment to upgrade the Manchester Airport railway station. The project, which will be delivered by contractor Kier between now and 2028, aims to increase capacity and improve service reliability for passengers in the North West.

Key components of the upgrade include the extension of platforms 1, 2, and 3 to accommodate longer trains, improvements to track layouts on the station approach, and the modernization of signaling systems. The project is part of the broader Manchester Rail Upgrade program designed to create a more connected and efficient railway network.

The first major phase is scheduled for Sunday, 6 December 2026, which will require a one-day closure of the station to install a temporary utility bridge for electrical cables. This bridge will eventually be replaced by a permanent structure in late 2027.