Rail passengers travelling between Manchester and Bolton face disruption this weekend as Salford Crescent station closes for essential upgrade work.

The closure, on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, is part of a £21 million investment by Network Rail to transform the busy interchange. The project includes the construction of a third platform, served by a new staircase and lift from the ticket office and footbridge.

-- Advertisement --

While building work so far has been carried out without affecting services, this weekend’s shutdown is required to allow final testing and commissioning of new signalling systems linked to the additional platform.

Once complete, the improvements will allow more trains to call at Salford Crescent and give signallers greater flexibility to manage congestion across the Manchester rail network.

During the closure, no trains will operate between Manchester and Bolton. Services between Manchester, Wigan, Preston and further afield will be diverted, while replacement buses will keep passengers moving on affected routes.

Network Rail has urged passengers to plan ahead and check timetables before travelling at www.nationalrail.co.uk.