'Ardwick Blockade' - February 2026 (timetable alteration updates)

[CHAPS2034]

North West route - Network Rail

The North West route is home to powerhouse cities of Liverpool and Manchester, as well as tourist destinations such as Blackpool.

www.networkrail.co.uk

The main work takes place over nine days during February half term, from Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 February 2026. During this time, there will be no trains from the south and east of the city into Manchester.

Trains from the north will also be heavily impacted during the essential upgrades as well as direct connections to Manchester Airport station.

While the train shed (platforms 1-12) will close, Manchester Piccadilly station’s concourse will remain open to the public. There will be a limited service westbound from platforms 13 and 14. Staff will be on hand to coordinate bus and Metrolink journeys...

I have just been reading some notes from a poster on another forum from a recent Manchester Airport Consultative Committee. The public are admitted as observers and this poster was present. He refers to an 'Ardwick Blockade' for a two-week period in February 2026, when Manchester Airport will not receive any rail services from the Manchester Piccadilly Line as it will be closed for essential works.

Any blockade at Ardwick could potentially cut off all lines to Piccadilly, and nothing else has been publically mentioned about this as far as I can see. I would have thought that such a major closure would have been notified some time ago.

So would I be right in thinking that whatever work is taking place is on the Styal Loop, and does not affect lines to Ashburys and Stockport? If so, 'Ardwick Blockade' is not the right terminology to use!

Could someone please clarify what is going on before speculation starts to run riot?! Thank you.


Moderator note: this is for timetable updates (not speculation); there is also a parallel thread for infrastructure updates (also not for speculation):

Piccadilly corridor renewal - February 2026 (infrastructure updates)

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/our-work/our-routes/north-west/piccadilly-corridor-renewal/ In February 2026, we’re investing £7.9m to improve tracks, points and signalling systems on the southern approach to Manchester Piccadilly station – delivering better, more reliable journeys for...

www.railforums.co.uk

If anyone wants to speculate, please create a new thread

 

[D1537]

I can't see that any work at Ardwick would prevent access to the Styal line whilst not preventing access to the Stockport route. Is this perhaps something that is taking place at the same time as the last part of the Stockport works? (though that of course does not last two weeks, so maybe not).

There's certainly nothing in RTT for February of such a type (yet).

 

[NCT]

The work is on Ardwick Ladder, if it still goes ahead as planned - already postponed from Feb 2025.

 

[The Planner]

The work is on Ardwick Ladder, if it still goes ahead as planned - already postponed from Feb 2025.

Its too late to postpone now. It was pushed out a lot earlier than this last year.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Oct 2025 ==

There's certainly nothing in RTT for February of such a type (yet).

There wouldn't be, its not T16 yet.

 

[Starmill]

I can't see that any work at Ardwick would prevent access to the Styal line whilst not preventing access to the Stockport route. Is this perhaps something that is taking place at the same time as the last part of the Stockport works? (though that of course does not last two weeks, so maybe not).

There's certainly nothing in RTT for February of such a type (yet).

As mentioned above it's Ardwick Junction, which, for present purposes, includes all lines, because of the ladder.

No trains will be able to reach Manchester Piccadilly except for platform 13 from Manchester Oxford Road. This realistically means an absolute maximum of 4tph terminating at Manchester Piccadilly, probably not that many.

 

[The Planner]

As mentioned above it's Ardwick Junction, which, for present purposes, includes all lines, because of the ladder.

No trains will be able to reach Manchester Piccadilly except for platform 13 from Manchester Oxford Road. This realistically means an absolute maximum of 4tph terminating at Manchester Piccadilly, probably not that many.

They can get to 14 as well.

 

[D1537]

As mentioned above it's Ardwick Junction, which, for present purposes, includes all lines, because of the ladder.

No trains will be able to reach Manchester Piccadilly except for platform 13 from Manchester Oxford Road. This realistically means an absolute maximum of 4tph terminating at Manchester Piccadilly, probably not that many.

Yes, I did wonder about that. Obviously the communication from the Manchester Airport Consultative Committee mentions Picc-Airport traffic because of who they are, when in reality it is all south/eastbound traffic.

 

[Starmill]

They can get to 14 as well.

Technically yes but for passenger purposes the use of two simultaneously seems very unlikely.

 

[The Planner]

Technically yes but for passenger purposes the use of two simultaneously seems very unlikely.

Why? Its bi-di. I'd bet a few quid on some trains using it to terminate.

 

[Starmill]

Why? Its bi-di. I'd bet a few quid on some trains using it to terminate.

Maybe, when the freights not in there sure.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

The work is on Ardwick Ladder, if it still goes ahead as planned - already postponed from Feb 2025.

What exactly is the 'Ardwick Ladder', and what's being done to it?

 

[Starmill]

What exactly is the 'Ardwick Ladder', and what's being done to it?

If you take a look on Google Maps here you can see most of it:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2GjW1Ph7s52yxrkE9

That's approximately where Ardwick Jn is, and there's a series of crossovers running northwards across the main lines. These are what's being worked on. Exactly what I have no idea. Presumably it's just a very large piece of track renewal.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@Starmill. Thanks for the explanation. Not heard the term before.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Presumably the airport can still be reached from the south via Wilmslow.
Will main line services turn at Stockport?
TfW could go via Warrington to Oxford Road perhaps, but Avanti/XC don't have many other options.

 

[CHAPS2034]

Thanks for the replies so far. So no trains into Piccadilly from the south for two weeks.

Could someone tell me the dates please, as I am planning some trips by rail in February and this will likely impact some of them? 2nd and 3rd weeks of the month which looks to encompass half term?

I too would like to know what services will still be operating and where they will be diverted to. There is obviously going to be a massive RRB operation to support this blockade!

 

[Bevan Price]

Presumably the airport can still be reached from the south via Wilmslow.
Will main line services turn at Stockport?
TfW could go via Warrington to Oxford Road perhaps, but Avanti/XC don't have many other options.

Unless there has been some recent change, I don't think that the Stockport platforms are signalled for reversible running. Northbound trains may be able to reverse in the Longsight area, but likely to be low capacity for that. Otherwise, trains from/to Crewe line might terminate at Wilmslow, with some short trains going to Manchester Airport (platforms too short for Pendolinos, I think)

 

[Class15]

Will freight to Trafford Park simply be cancelled?

 

[Starmill]

Unless there has been some recent change, I don't think that the Stockport platforms are signalled for reversible running. Northbound trains may be able to reverse in the Longsight area, but likely to be low capacity for that. Otherwise, trains from/to Crewe line might terminate at Wilmslow, with some short trains going to Manchester Airport (platforms too short for Pendolinos, I think)

You can start from platform 3 and go south, but that move is of very limited use. You can however shunt via Longsight, or on the main line, or at Heaton Norris Jn.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Oct 2025 ==

Thanks for the replies so far. So no trains into Piccadilly from the south for two weeks.

Could someone tell me the dates please, as I am planning some trips by rail in February and this will likely impact some of them? 2nd and 3rd weeks of the month which looks to encompass half term?

I too would like to know what services will still be operating and where they will be diverted to. There is obviously going to be a massive RRB operation to support this blockade!

Given the plan hasn't been finished yet do you really think people are going to give you a full list that's half-baked? That would be of very limited use to you surely.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Oct 2025 ==

Presumably the airport can still be reached from the south via Wilmslow.
Will main line services turn at Stockport?
TfW could go via Warrington to Oxford Road perhaps, but Avanti/XC don't have many other options.

Do Transport for Wales still sign Crewe - Warrington Bank Quay? Even if they did their other train is rather in the way for that.

 

[CHAPS2034]

Unless there has been some recent change, I don't think that the Stockport platforms are signalled for reversible running. Northbound trains may be able to reverse in the Longsight area, but likely to be low capacity for that.

Some years ago I was on a Pendolino to Euston which got as far as Macclesfield where we were held for some while due to a Voyager ahead which had sat down somewhere near Congleton. It left Stockport as I was waiting for the Pendo and certainly didn't sound too healthy.

After 20 minutes or so there was an announcement that we would be going back to Stockport and then via Crewe to London. We ran back to Stockport into Platform 3, where those who wished to abandon their journey alighted. We then ran onto the viaduct, reversed into Platform 2 and then set off via Crewe. Not sure such a move would be allowed now with pax on, but if trains are terminating at Stockport, that is not a problem.

Given the plan hasn't been finished yet do you really think people are going to give you a full list that's half-baked? That would be of very limited use to you surely.

Firstly I would expect that someone would at least be able to quote the dates.

And of course I don't want an incomplete list. But I would suggest that this is a massive operation in terms of trains affected, and as the Planner noted upthread notification was earlier last year.

Its too late to postpone now. It was pushed out a lot earlier than this last year.

Presumably some things are different and/or more difficult this time around, hence the delay in notification.

 

[Starmill]

Some years ago I was on a Pendolino to Euston which got as far as Macclesfield where we were held for some while due to a Voyager ahead which had sat down somewhere near Congleton. It left Stockport as I was waiting for the Pendo and certainly didn't sound too healthy.

After 20 minutes or so there was an announcement that we would be going back to Stockport and then via Crewe to London. We ran back to Stockport into Platform 3, where those who wished to abandon their journey alighted. We then ran onto the viaduct, reversed into Platform 2 and then set off via Crewe. Not sure such a move would be allowed now with pax on, but if trains are terminating at Stockport, that is not a problem.



Firstly I would expect that someone would at least be able to quote the dates.

And of course I don't want an incomplete list. But I would suggest that this is a massive operation in terms of trains affected, and as the Planner noted upthread notification was earlier last year.

I assume the reason the dates haven't been included in the Network Rail media centre is because if they put them out they will be immediately hounded with questions as to what trains will run. Something which they very much have been unable to answer while the process for establishing what can be offered via all the different diversionary routes is still ongoing. If a diverted service is available or not is also at risk of being somewhat contentious.

 

[Geeves]

If I'm reading correctly about no trains from the airport then hopefully some attention to the issues at East Didsbury will be attended to as well. Lots of "safety inspections of the track" recently. I believe there's a severe dip appeared which can't be good when the railway is sat on top of a huge embankment.

Perhaps one of the trains through to Piccadilly will be Euston train going out via the Chat Moss to London. Highly likely TfW will terminate at Warrington BQ, i think that is what has happened in the past or Crewe for the S Wales stuff.

 

[plugwash]

Unless there has been some recent change, I don't think that the Stockport platforms are signalled for reversible running.

In terms of the platforms my understanding is that 1 and 3A allow reversals for trains from the north, but none of the platforms allow reversals for trains from the south.

It is however possible for a train to unload in 3/4, then reverse on the viaduct behind ground signal 116/117/118 before reloading in 1/2 ( https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/stockport-sig-st2-116-118.271979/#post-6884888 )

 

[jamess]

You can start from platform 3 and go south, but that move is of very limited use. You can however shunt via Longsight, or on the main line, or at Heaton Norris Jn.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Oct 2025 ==


Given the plan hasn't been finished yet do you really think people are going to give you a full list that's half-baked? That would be of very limited use to you surely.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Oct 2025 ==


Do Transport for Wales still sign Crewe - Warrington Bank Quay? Even if they did their other train is rather in the way for that.

The 06:27 Manchester to Cardiff, departs from Platform 13 and usually routes up from Crewe ECS via Warrington. There is also one that terminates at Manchester at about 22:20 and goes back to Crewe that way

 

[Rail Ranger]

In the past freightliner trains to and from Trafford Park have been diverted via a reversal at Edge Hill and then via Warrington Central to reach Trafford Park from the west. The west facing connection at Trafford Park has now gone so there would need to be a further reversal to get into and out of Trafford Park itself. Perhaps if this diversion is being used trains would be top and tailed (a loco at each end) between Edge Hill and Trafford Park?

 

[Peter0124]

Avanti could run heading west from Platform 13/14 and onto the Earlestown triangle to join the WCML at Warrington Bank Quay.

Or bus everyone to Stockport and start trains there?

 

[The Planner]

In the past freightliner trains to and from Trafford Park have been diverted via a reversal at Edge Hill and then via Warrington Central to reach Trafford Park from the west. The west facing connection at Trafford Park has now gone so there would need to be a further reversal to get into and out of Trafford Park itself. Perhaps if this diversion is being used trains would be top and tailed (a loco at each end) between Edge Hill and Trafford Park?

Not W10 gauge cleared along the CLC. It would have to be via Earlestown.

 

[Rail Ranger]

Ah so it could be done with a reversal at Oxford Road if that is feasible.

 

[greatkingrat]

The Engineering Access Statement shows the dates as 14-22 Feb, so 9 days rather than 2 whole weeks.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Avanti could run heading west from Platform 13/14 and onto the Earlestown triangle to join the WCML at Warrington Bank Quay.
Or bus everyone to Stockport and start trains there?

The problem will be capacity along the Castlefield corridor.
If Avanti do what you suggest, many other services will have to be cancelled (eg all the services normally heading to the airport).
Maybe some trains could reach Victoria from the west, but the same capacity problems apply - what do you do with the regular trains using Victoria?

There's also the "back way" from Stockport to Victoria via Denton and Ashton Moss, but it's not electrified.
It also sounds like Ardwick depot will be cut off from Piccadilly, particularly affecting TPE.

 

[KN94]

Slow lines through the work are being 'released' at certain times to allow a limited number of freight services through
Avanti are planning to run 1tp2h via Chat Moss to Manchester Piccadilly (13/14)
Otherwise things are terminating at Stockport (from South / Hope Valley), some things at Manchester Oxford Road/Manchester Piccadilly (from North / Liverpool) and Manchester Victoria (from Huddersfield), with a few other services terminating significantly earlier