Manchester Airport’s train station will be closed for three weeks as work is carried out to complete a fourth platform.
Transport chiefs have warned travellers will face four weeks of disruption and will have to find alternative ways of getting to and from the airport as rail replacement buses are put on to cope with the disruption in early 2015.
One of its three platforms will be shut on Sunday January 11, before the remaining two close on Saturday January 19.
All three will re-open on Monday February 9 – meaning no trains will run in or out of the station for three weeks.
Network Rail area director Ian Joslin said there had been ‘no alternative’ to closures after as much work as possible had been completed while contractors finished the new Metrolink station next door.
But he said the extra platform would make Manchester one of the country’s best connected airports, with more trains stopping there.
He 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.”
Trams to the airport are due to begin next month after the Metrolink station was completed a year ahead of schedule, meaning travellers will be able to use the new services after trains stop.
A spokesman for rail operators said the works were part of a £1bn improvement package being injected into infrastructure in the north.
They said the time of year had been chosen to make sure as few travellers as possible would have their plans affected by the construction.
He said: “The additional platform at the airport and the introduction of Metrolink services will provide for greater capacity and improved reliability for customers.
“Of course this work requires a temporary closure of rail services in and out of the airport but we will be providing customers with detailed information about why this is happening and how they might complete their journeys.”
Transport for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink director Peter Cushing said: “We are grateful to both Metrolink and rail passengers for their patience during this ultimately beneficial work.”
