Concerns rise over Manchester Oxford Road station plans, fearing impact on Southport line and direct services.
Network Rail wants to fix up Oxford Road station and is holding a public meeting about it now. The station will have fewer platforms, going from four to three. The platforms will be longer to fit bigger trains. The upgrade includes new lifts and a bridge, aiming to make city center rail travel easier.
Construction should begin in 2029 and finish by 2031. The station will mostly close during this work, although some early work will begin in 2026.
A group named OPSTA speaks for train riders in West Lancashire. They fear services from Southport to Manchester Piccadilly may end for good, a concern reported by the M.E.N. The Southport line used to have two daily Manchester services, one to Victoria, the other to Piccadilly and the airport.
The service to Piccadilly got cut in May 2018. A campaign by OPSTA brought it back in December 2019. Now, OPSTA finds the current hourly services poor. Direct service to either side of Manchester makes it at least bearable.
OPSTA works with MPs to fight a Manchester train plan. The plan might remove direct trains to Piccadilly, which OPSTA argues is needless. They believe trains can run through to the airport.
They say this route would be the only one entirely cut. OPSTA believes their area is often ignored. They feel plans from groups like Transport for the North often forget them. Maps often leave out their Southport and Preston lines, and they question why they don’t get new trains.
OPSTA says the plan replaces four tracks with two. A third platform is for trains that end there. Network Rail says this helps trains from the west turn back quicker. OPSTA worries Southport trains will always terminate there.
OPSTA expects a strong response is needed. They want to prove the plan fails to meet all needs. It does not ensure direct access to Piccadilly and the airport, and they say it will limit services. OPSTA claims it goes against the project’s purpose.