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Manchester trains replaced with buses over Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend

Rail bosses said they "know that people will be travelling across the country to celebrate" and they are "sorry if [the] work impacts their plans."

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 24th May 2022

‘Severe disruption’ is being forecast for those using public transport over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, as Network Rail plans to replace trains with buses whilst it carries out major signalling work.

Network Rail will complete a ‘major signalling overhaul’ in Manchester over the Jubilee weekend, seeing a large number of Manchester trains replaced by buses in order to help our trains ‘run on time’.

As part of these upgrades, a 132-year-old signal box near Philips Park will be removed. Network Rail will also replace nearly 4km of track and secure over 2.8km of overhead wires.

As a result, passengers travelling between Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Victoria, and Stalybridge over the weekend will likely suffer delays as services are re-directed and/or replaced with buses.

Customers are being urged to check their routes ahead of travelling,

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Neil Holm, Transpennine Route Upgrade Director for Network Rail, said: “This major investment will unlock more reliable journeys for rail passengers in Manchester, as well as the potential for faster trains in the future.

“I know that people will be travelling across the country to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, so I’m sorry if our work impacts their plans. We’ve worked with our train operating partners to plan alternative routes and bus replacements to keep disruption to a minimum.”

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Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, said: “This is another key step for the rail industry towards delivering a railway fit for the 21st Century and the work over the Jubilee Bank Holiday will help deliver better reliability for our customers.

“Due to the major engineering work taking place, there will be a number of service alterations for TransPennine Express services.

“Our customers are advised to allow for additional time for journeys and to check carefully for the latest advice before they travel. Ongoing strike action by the RMT union will also affect services on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June, and we are urging people to avoid travelling on our services on those dates and to travel either side of the weekend instead.”

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Service alterations planned in and around Manchester over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend:

Thursday, 2nd June

  • Buses replace trains between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.
  • TPE services to Leeds will be diverted to Manchester Piccadilly.
  • Services to Liverpool Lime Street will be diverted to run from Manchester Airport via Manchester Piccadilly.

Friday, 3rd June

  • Services to Liverpool Lime Street will be diverted to run to Manchester Airport via Manchester Piccadilly.
  • between 0001 and 0700 there will be no train services running to or from Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Airport, and limited rail replacement buses will run.

Friday, 3rd, and Saturday, 4th June

  • There will be no trains from Manchester Victoria to Chester via Warrington Bank Quay.
  • There will be no peak-time services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria.

Saturday, 4th, and Sunday, 5th June

  • Industrial action by the RMT Union will affect TransPennine Express Services.
  • There will be a much-reduced service between Manchester Piccadilly, Leeds, and York only.

Friday, 3rd until Sunday, 5th June

  • There will be no trains to or from Manchester Victoria on any route.
  • Buses will replace trains between Manchester Victoria and Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge, Rochdale, and Salford Central, which is a short walk from Manchester’s central shopping area.
  • TransPennine Express services to and from Leeds will be diverted to run to Manchester Piccadilly.

Feature image – Wikimedia Commons

News

Murder investigation launched after man stabbed to death in Levenshulme over weekend

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant GMP synagogue attack

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a young man in Levenshulme over the weekend.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called to reports of a man who suffered ‘serious stab wounds’ on Chapel Street at around 7:06pm on Saturday evening (15 August), and once they arrived on the scene, the victim was pronounced dead despite the best efforts of emergency services.

The identity of the victim has not yet been announced, but it has been confirmed that he was a 24-year-old man.

Work is ongoing to locate the victim’s next of kin, and several scenes remain in place while the police investigation continues.

According to police, it is believed that this was an ‘isolated incident’ with no wider threat to the public.

While a 27-year-old man has already been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody, GMP have still issued a public appeal for information.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim in this tragic incident,” commented Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson, from GMP’s Major Incident Team.

“Officers acted swiftly to arrest a man, who is in our custody for questioning.

“Our investigation is ongoing and we would like to hear from anyone who may have information that can assist us.”

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Can you help? Anyone in the Chapel Street area around the time of this incident, or who has mobile phone, CCTV, Ring doorbell and dashcam footage, can contact police on 0161 856 9008 quoting the log number 2983 of 15/08/2026.

“Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – GMP

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Family pays tribute to ‘much-loved son’ who died after Wigan bus crash

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Family pays tribute to 'much-loved son' who died after Wigan bus crash

The family of a man who died in a tragic bus crash in Wigan have paid a moving tribute to him.

Luke Hill, 28, was involved in a collision between a bus and a motorbike earlier this month, and sadly passed away in hospital the following morning.

The incident occurred on the Wigan Road junction of Alexandra Road, at around 11.54pm on Thursday 6 August – and GMP are still appealing for members of the public to come forward with CCTV, dashcam, or information.

The driver of the bus remained at the scene following the crash, and continues to support police with their investigation.

Paying tribute to Luke, his family described him as a ‘rock and much-loved part of the family’.

His mother said that living without him feels like a ‘terrible nightmare’.

Paying tribute, Luke’s mum, Sharon, has said: “Luke was my son, my rock, and a much-loved part of our family. There are simply no words to describe the pain of losing a son, especially in such a tragic way.

“It still doesn’t feel real. I keep expecting this terrible nightmare to end and for you to be here with us again.

“Luke was a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew and grandson. He meant so much to so many people, and he will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.

“We miss you more than words could ever say. The pain of losing you is something we will carry with us forever, but so will the love and memories you gave us.

“The whole family is deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss. We kindly ask that everyone respects our privacy and allows us the time and space we need to grieve.

“You will never be forgotten, Luke.

“We love you and miss you so much.”

Officers are continuing to appeal for any witnesses who may have seen the moments leading up to this incident, or anyone who has mobile phone or dash cam footage, to come forward and assist the investigation.

Anyone with information can contact police via 0161 856 4741 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting the log number 4225 of 06/08/2026.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Read more

Featured image: GMP

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