Network Rail has today, Monday, 20th January, started consultation on its plans to improve Manchester Oxford Road station.

Among the planned improvements are longer platforms, upgrades to the track and signalling, and the construction of a new station footbridge with lifts to provide step-free access to all platforms.

Outline proposals show that the platform layout will be reconfigured to leave three platforms, each capable of accommodating longer trains than they do at present.

Two longer through-platforms will be suitable for eight-carriage trains and a new turn-back platform will be able to accommodate six-carriage trains.

A public consultation is being held to obtain the public’s views on the outline proposals and consider them in the final design.

Changes to the track layout and signalling will reduce congestion by removing conflicting train movements, and as part of the improvements the overhead line equipment will be upgraded and over 900 metres of new track laid.

Accessibility throughout the station will be improved with the new footbridge providing more space for passengers, while the new lifts will allow step-free access to all platforms.

Also planned are wider and resurfaced platforms and improvements to the existing lifts.

The station building and platform canopies are Grade II listed, and the improvement plans for the design of the footbridge, staircase, and canopies will take account of the station’s setting in the surrounding area, including other buildings in Whitworth Street.

Consultation on the scheme is already underway and will last until Friday, 28th February. A virtual consultation room and feedback form is online at https://manchesteroxfordroad.consultation.ai

Drop-in events when plans will be on view and members of the team will be available to be questioned will be held at the Friends’ Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS on Saturday, 1st February 2025 from 11 am to 4 pm and on Monday, 17th February 2025 from 2 pm to 7 pm.

A second round of consultation will take place before the end of 2025 when environmental and construction aspects of the scheme will be considered. After feedback from both consultations has been considered, Network Rail will submit appropriate planning applications in 2026.

In May last year, new contactless ticket barriers were installed at the station to provide a wider accessible barrier for those in wheelchairs, and carrying cases or pushing buggies.

“The Manchester Oxford Road Remodelling Scheme consultation is an opportunity for the public to hear about our exciting plans for the station, which include platform, track and signalling upgrades, alongside improvements to station accessibility. We want to bring all station users, as well as the local community with us on the journey of improving this important station. I urge the local community and station users to let us know their thoughts so that they can be taken into account as the designs progress.”

Pete Winters, Senior Project lead for Network Rail