Flood-prevention work at Manchester Victoria station is being funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), which is investing £1 million in the scheme to bring drainage systems around the 166-year old station into the 21st century.
Drains in the station’s basement will be connected to the River Irk, which runs underneath the station, providing a more efficient way of draining the main building.
In addition, the drainage system underneath the road in front of the station will be completely replaced, and drainpipes on the historic station façade will be cleaned and maintained to ensure they are working at full capacity.
Work will run until October 2020 with a half road closure in place on Victoria Station Approach for nine weeks. As a result, there will be diversions for pedestrians and motorists although train services from Manchester Victoria will be unaffected by the work.
Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “Bringing Manchester Victoria’s drainage system from the Victorian era into the 21st century will help give passengers the reliable services they deserve, reducing frustrating disruptions.
“This is part of a wider £10 million rail investment to reduce the risk of flooding in the Manchester area, which will help protect the city and surrounding area from damage and delay.”
Rory Kingdon, senior sponsor at Network Rail, said: “It’s a testament to Victorian engineering that so much of the infrastructure our predecessors built is still surviving and thriving, but the time is right to bring the drainage systems at Manchester Victoria into the 21st century.
“Carrying out this work now should mean less passengers are affected by any disruption around the station and we’ll be ready to welcome back travellers to a warm and dry station when it’s safe to do so.”
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