Major disruption expected at Stoke-on-Trent station for three weeks this summer
Most services at Stoke-on-Trent station will be replaced by bus services for three weeks in August due to major engineering works in Greater Manchester.
From 2-23 August there will be no mainline services between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly and passengers will need to travel to Stafford via bus if travelling towards London.
Some rail services are running between Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe throughout the three-week shut-down of the line between Stoke and Manchester and passengers are being urged to 'plan ahead'.
It comes as work gets underway to demolish and replace Greek Street bridge, which runs over the West Coast Mainline in Stockport.
The original bridge, which was constructed in 1958, needs to be replaced with a modern structure which will last for up to 120 years.
How it will affect Stoke-on-Trent:
Some East Midlands Railway services will run. The advice is to check before you travel.
No Avanti West Coast trains will run between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly (replacement bus). Avanti trains towards London Euston and Birmingham will run from Stafford with a bus transfer from Stoke-on-Trent station.
All Northern trains from Stoke-on-Trent will be replaced with a bus service. Replacement road services for Northern passengers will run between Stoke-on-Trent and Stockport. Another bus replacement will run to Manchester Piccadilly. Northern passengers also have the option of using the 192 bus from Stockport into Manchester city centre for no extra cost.
No Cross Country trains will run between Manchester Piccadilly and Stoke-on-Trent. Cross Country passengers will be able to get a bus replacement to Stockport and another to Manchester city centre. Bus transfers to Stafford will also be in place for southbound journeys.
West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway will operate a bus replacement to Stafford.
William Brandon, Network Rail's project manager, said: "The work to strengthen Stockport is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make train journeys on the Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line safer and more reliable.
"I understand that closing the railway through Stockport for 21 days will be inconvenient to our passengers, and I am sorry about this.
"Between August 2 and the morning of August 23, I'd advise passengers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time for their journey.
"We have worked closely with train operators, Transport for Greater Manchester and Stockport Council on the best alternative travel plan possible for a closure of this size.
"I'd advise you to check your specific journey on National Rail Enquiries website to understand exactly how your services will be affected."
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