Revamp plans at Manchester Victoria station unveiled

New £20m roof to feature, along with plans for better Metrolink facilities and new shops and cafes

Network Rail has unveiled plans for a new £20m roof at Manchester Victoria station.

With this added investment, improvements to the railway in the region would top £700m, including newly electrified lines between Manchester and Liverpool.

A brand new £20m state of the art roof is likely to be made of ETFE - the material used at the Eden Project. £16m is likely to be paid for by Network Rail, and £4m by Transport for Greater Manchester.

The improvements future proof the station allowing for the imminent electrification of the line to Liverpool and would allow for improvements to services included in the Northern Hub proposals by Network Rail.

Network Rail and TfGM are developing plans to improve Victoria station further, including new shops and cafes, better Metrolink facilities, new and improved links to the MEN arena and refurbishment and renewal of the Grade II listed station building.

Graham Botham, Programme Sponsor, Network Rail said: "The numbers of people using the station could double by 2019, with faster, more frequent trains eventually to Leeds and Liverpool as part of the Northern Hub plans, so we need a station that reflects Manchester’s vibrant city centre."

"Our plans see Victoria transformed by the end of 2014, acting as a further catalyst in an area where the Co-operative Group is regenerating 20 acres of land around the station."

Further information:
Network Rail