MANCHESTER Airport railway station will close for nearly a month to complete £1 billion upgrade work on a new, fourth platform.

Only two platforms will be in use between January 11-17. The station will then be closed to all trains until Monday, February 9.

Information on replacement buses will be made available nearer the time of the closure.

Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “Much of the work to upgrade Manchester Airport station has been completed while trains continue to run, but there is no other alternative but to close the station while we install the new track and complete the new fourth platform.

“While there is never a good time to close the railway we have worked closely with the airport, Metrolink and train operators to complete this work at a time which will impact the fewest numbers of passengers and I apologise for any short-term inconvenience while we deliver these long-term benefits.”

The majority of the work on the fourth platform was carried out during construction of the Metrolink stop.

Additional work will include track and signalling, new CCTV and information screens.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink director, Peter Cushing, added: “With the opening of the new airport line in November, the new heavy rail fourth platform will represent an excellent example of heavy and light rail integration at one of the best road and rail connected airports in the country.

“We are grateful to both Metrolink and rail passengers for their patience while this, ultimately, beneficial work is carried out.”

The work involved will result in some changes to Metrolink services between Manchester Airport and Wythenshawe town centre – including slightly later starts on Sundays in November and from Saturday, January 17 to midday on Sunday, January 18.

At those times, trams will run between Cornbrook and Wythenshawe town centre, and like-for-like replacement bus services will run between the town centre and the airport.