Network Rail is investing £21 million to build an additional, third platform at Salford Crescent station.

The new, extra platform will improve passenger flow and reduce train delays by allowing more flexibility for trains travelling through central Manchester and across the country.

Salford Crescent station is on the busy Manchester to Preston line, with services calling from across the North West into Manchester and Manchester Airport.

In 2022/23 the station handled almost 1.2 million entries and exits making it one of the busiest stations in Greater Manchester.

The platform will give signallers more options to ease “traffic jams” through the station and the busy central Manchester rail network.


To carry out this work safely, from today (13 January 2025), a section of University Road West under the bridge is closed in both directions for around a year. A diversionary route is in place to minimise local disruption and access to properties will always be available.

Network Rail has worked closely with Salford City Council on a diversionary route to minimise local disruption and make sure people can access their properties.

Network Rail is reminding passengers that Salford Crescent station will close for several weekends between March and September 2025. The work will be complete in 2026.

Work to improve Salford Central station is also taking place this year. Network Rail is working with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) on a £10m project to deliver important accessibility upgrades and improvements to the station building*.

The station will include new customer information points. There will also be signage for passengers to join up with the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s vision for an integrated public transport system.

To allow the work to be completed, Salford Central station will be closed from 10 February 2025– 21 April 2025.