FIRST North Western (FNW) trains are ensuring shoppers can still get to the sales this Christmas, with a comprehensive road replacement service across South Manchester whilst Network Rail carry out essential engineering work.

From Christmas Day until 30th December (inclusive), engineers will be completing resignalling works in the Longsight area, just south of Manchester Piccadilly.

During this period, journeys from the South Manchester area will involve the use of rail replacement services or a combination of road and rail. Whilst journeys during this period will take longer by road, First North Western have made every effort to ensure as far as possible there is just one change between bus and rail.

FNW is using the same successful rail replacement service that operated during the earlier preparatory works that took place this summer, when Longsight was closed for the first stages of the essential resignalling works.

First North Western’s Project Manager Don Jary said:- “While there is never a convenient time to do this kind of work, Network Rail has tried to ensure it is at a time which will minimise disruption to as many people as possible, who rely on rail services to get to work, school and college.

Working with other train operators we have tried to ensure, despite this engineering work, customers from South Manchester can still visit relatives, and come into Manchester for shopping and leisure purposes as conveniently as possible. Most other routes into the city centre will only be slightly affected over the Christmas period, if at all.”

Routes that will be particularly affected are:-

Christmas Eve Wednesday 24 December 2003

Normal services will operate on all routes until approx. 20.00 and then wind down to finish by approximately 22.00-22.30.

Last trains from major locations such as Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street will depart around 21.00.

All services that would normally depart from their station of origin after 22.00 will not run.

All services booked to depart their station of origin after 22.00 will be cancelled.

Christmas Day Thursday 25 December 2003

No Services

Boxing Day Friday 26 December 2003

No Services

Saturday 27 December 2003

No services will operate before 04.00. On most routes, service levels will then build to Saturday levels by 07.00.

The following routes will be affected by major engineering works in the Manchester Piccadilly area

Manchester Piccadilly – Stockport

All trains replaced by buses throughout.

Manchester Piccadilly – Macclesfield – Stoke

All services start and terminate at Stockport.

Manchester Piccadilly – Wilmslow – Crewe

All trains replaced by buses throughout.

Manchester Piccadilly – Manchester Airport – Wilmslow

All trains replaced by buses throughout.

Manchester Piccadilly – Altrincham – Chester

Services start and terminate at Stockport or are diverted to Manchester Victoria.

Manchester Piccadilly – Hazel Grove – Buxton

Services start and terminate at Stockport or are diverted to Manchester Victoria.

Manchester Piccadilly – New Mills Central – Sheffield

A special timetable will operate.

Services between Southport, Liverpool Lime Street, Blackpool North, Barrow-in-Furness, Windermere, Preston, Wigan, Bolton and Manchester Airport will start and terminate at Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Oxford Road. Frequent bus connections will be provided between Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport.

Services from Blackpool North, Preston, Southport, Wigan, Barrow-in-Furness, Liverpool Lime Street to Stockport, Alderley Edge, Hazel Grove and Buxton will be replaced by buses between Manchester Piccadilly and Stockport.

Normal advertised bus/train service operates on most routes except the following, which will be affected by engineering work in the Manchester Piccadilly area:-

Manchester Piccadilly – Stockport

All trains replaced by buses throughout.

Manchester Piccadilly – Macclesfield – Stoke

All services start and terminate at Stockport.

Manchester Piccadilly – Wilmslow – Crewe

All trains replaced by buses throughout.

Manchester Piccadilly – Manchester Airport – Wilmslow

All services replaced by Bus service throughout.

Manchester Piccadilly – Hazel Grove – Buxton

All services start/terminate at Stockport or divert to Manchester Victoria.

Services between Southport, Liverpool Lime Street, Blackpool North, Barrow-in-Furness, Windermere, Preston, Wigan, Bolton and Manchester Airport will start and terminate at Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Oxford Road.

Frequent bus connections will be provided between Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport.

Services from Blackpool North, Preston, Southport, Wigan, Barrow-in-Furness, Liverpool Lime Street to Stockport, Alderley Edge, Hazel Grove and Buxton will be replaced by buses between Manchester Piccadilly and Stockport.

Monday 29 December 2003 and Tuesday 30 December 2003

Normal advertised bus/train service operates on most routes except the following, which will be affected by engineering works taking place in the Manchester Piccadilly area:-

Manchester Piccadilly – Stockport

All trains replaced by buses throughout.

Manchester Piccadilly – Macclesfield – Stoke

All services start and terminate at Stockport.

Manchester Piccadilly – Wilmslow – Crewe

All services start and terminate at Manchester Airport or Stockport.

Manchester Piccadilly – Manchester Airport

All trains replaced by buses throughout.

Manchester Piccadilly – Altrincham – Chester

All trains start and terminate at Stockport or divert to Manchester Victoria.

Manchester Piccadilly – Hazel Grove – Buxton

Services start and terminate at Stockport or divert to Manchester Victoria.

Manchester Piccadilly – New Mills Central – Sheffield

A special timetable will operate. Services between Southport, Liverpool Lime Street, Blackpool North, Barrow-in-Furness, Windermere, Preston, Wigan, Bolton and Manchester Airport will start and terminate at Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Oxford Road. Frequent bus connections will be provided between Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport. Services from Blackpool North, Preston, Southport, Wigan, Barrow-in-Furness, Liverpool Lime Street to Stockport, Alderley Edge, Hazel Grove and Buxton will be replaced by buses between Manchester Piccadilly and Stockport.

New Year’s Eve Wednesday 31 December 2003

Normal service will operate on all routes until approx. 20.00. Services will then be wound down to finish at approximately 22.00-22.30.

Last trains from major locations such as Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street will depart around 21.00. All services booked to depart from their station of origin after 22.00 will be cancelled.

New Year’s Day Thursday 1 January 2004

Most services will start to run from 08.00 and will then increase to normal levels by 11.00.

Friday 2 January 2004 Normal service applies on all routes.

The FNW website and hotline will be able to give further details in the next few weeks.