Transport chiefs warn over weekend closures
ROAD and rail users are being warned of potential disruption this weekend.
The M62 between Heywood and Rochdale will be closed on Saturday night until Sunday morning, while from this weekend, Manchester Victoria station will be closed to rail passengers every Sunday until 17 April.
Transport chiefs are urging passengers and motorists to plan their journeys as a result of the works.
The M62, between junctions 18 and 19 will be closed from 9.30pm on Saturday to 10am on Sunday morning to allow the removal of gantry posts, part of the £202m smart motorway upgrade.
Highways England’s project manager, Paul Hampson, said: “Clearly-signed diversions will be in place for this closure and we’re encouraging drivers who intend to travel overnight to plan their journeys in advance.”
Meanwhile, Transport for Greater Manchester said as well as the Victoria Station closure, services between the city and Bolton would be disrupted this weeked.
The station 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.
The Metrolink system will not be affected and the Victoria 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.
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.”
