Network Rail to submit TWAO for Castlefield Corridor scheme

The biggest single element of the massive Northern Hub project - the plan to significantly increase capacity along the ‘Castlefield Corridor’ between Manchester’s Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations - takes a major step forward on December 18 when Network Rail submits its application for a Transport and Works Act Order to the Secretary of State for Transport.

The work is needed so that up to 16 trains each way per hour can operate along the corridor. It involves significant work at Oxford Road, as well as the building of two new platforms at Piccadilly (15 and 16) and a new entrance to the south of the line on Travis Street.

As work will need to extend outside of the existing railway boundary along the full length of the corridor, this single TWAO application seeks authority for the whole project.

• For more information, see RAIL 763, published on December 10.