There will be no trains into Victoria from Friday 27th to Wednesday 1st. The main work being carried out is the lowering of track underneath Cheetham Hill Road bridge, which is at the eastern end of Victoria station, in preparation for electrification.
The trains will run as far as Ashton only, which was our suggestion. Not sure whether this would have happened anyway, but we might as well claim the credit.
Trans Pennine Express will have additional trains calling at Stalybridge, giving connections to/from Piccadilly. This was another of our suggestions, again not sure if it would have happened anyway. At most times of day the quickest route to central Manchester will be by changing trains at Stalybridge.
There’s a replacement bus running from Stalybridge and Ashton to Victoria. Generally this will be slower than changing trains at Stalybridge, especially if affected by traffic.
A third alternative is to change from train to tram at Ashton (though again the tram is not particularly quick). Tickets valid changing from train to tram at Ashton (this was another of our suggestions), but not sure if this applies for tickets from outside the Greater Manchester travel area.
“Just to let you know that to help our customers, we have agreed an arrangement with Metrolink for the period of the Christmas Blockade at Manchester Victoria. It will enable those in possession of a valid rail ticket for the route concerned, to opt to use the Rochdale or Ashton Metrolink services during the time periods a train service/rail replacement bus operation is scheduled to operate.”
“A publicity leaflet is being produced and will be handed out to people buying tickets or presenting themselves for the rail replacement bus services.”