Piccadilly passengers’ advice ahead of Manchester music weekender

Gig goers using Manchester Piccadilly station this weekend are being advised to plan ahead if travelling to the city for concerts by The Killers, Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys and Parklife festival.

More than 300,000 people are estimated to attend the major events at the AO Arena, Heaton Park, Etihad Stadium and Old Trafford between June 10-12.

However, people planning to travel through Manchester Piccadilly are being advised that journeys home will be limited with some long distance services timetabled to leave before the concerts finish*.

Passengers are being urged to check: www.nationalrail.co.uk and follow the advice of their train operator so they have a firm plan on how to get home.

Ongoing industrial action will also impact TransPennine Express services on Sunday.

Network Rail is asking people to follow its advice to ‘Be safe, be patient and be kind’ when travelling after recent assaults on station staff - so far this year 10 workers have been attacked at Manchester Piccadilly while doing their job.

Often staff are verbally and physically assaulted during busy events or when there is unexpected disruption.

Scott Green, Network Rail station manager at Manchester Piccadilly, said: “While it’s great such huge events are back in Manchester and stations are getting busier, it’s also resulted in a recent rise in staff being assaulted.

“I understand it can be frustrating when there are delays or when it’s busy, but this is not an excuse for tempers to flare and we won’t tolerate any abuse towards our staff.

"I’d urge everyone to plan their journey in advance and follow the advice of their train operator so they know exactly what to expect this weekend, so passengers and staff alike don’t have to face any unacceptable behaviour.”

Chris Jackson, regional director for Northern, said: “We know our late night services are going to be extremely busy this weekend – so would encourage customers to plan ahead for how they’re going to get home.

"Our staff will do everything they can to help – and I would ask for our passengers' support by being patient and following the instructions provided by station staff on the night.”

Kathryn O’Brien, customer experience director at TransPennine Express, said: “Ongoing industrial relations issues mean we will only be able to operate a small percentage of our usual services on Sunday, and we’re asking our customers to seek alternative methods of travel.

“We don’t issue ‘do not travel’ advice lightly, but we have to be realistic and need our customers to understand the difficulties they will face if they try to travel by rail on Sunday.

“We’re really sorry for any disruption to people’s plans.

"I’m now calling on our customers to look carefully at their journey options, particularly for travel after the events as we simply will not have capacity to get people where they need to be.”

Network Rail's advice between June 10-12 is:

Plan your journey – especially how you will get home - at www.nationalrail.co.uk

Allow extra time – long queues to access platforms are expected

Don't rely on later trains home - they will be limited and very busy

Remember Network Rail's motto of ‘Be safe, be patient, be kind’ when travelling

Additional staff will be on hand at Manchester Piccadilly station to help passengers, with the station team prepared for the thousands of extra travellers.

At busy times queuing systems will be used to keep people safe and make sure people can board platforms safely.

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