TRAIN passengers have been warned of disruption ahead of a major project to upgrade a rail bridge.

The £650,000 upgrade to the bridge which takes the railway over Slade Lane in Levenshulme, Manchester, will take place across two weekends in March.

During the work on Sunday, March 1, and Sunday, March 8, there will be no trains between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport.

All trains normally bound for Manchester Airport will terminate at Manchester Piccadilly where passengers will transfer to rail replacement buses or other transport to complete their journeys.

Kathryn Berry, scheme project manager, said: “While I understand the closure of the railway on March 1 and 8 is inconvenient for passengers, this essential work as part of the Great North Rail Project is needed to ensure the reliability of the railway bridge for decades to come.

"I’d urge anyone needing to travel on the Manchester Airport line on these two Sundays to allow more time for their journeys and check National Rail Enquiries."

Slade Lane, the road under the bridge, will be reduced to a single lane for road traffic. The footpath under the bridge will stay open.

Network Rail is holding a public information event from 4pm – 7pm on Thursday, February 20, at Levenshulme Inspire Centre for people to learn more about the work and has also written to residents ahead of the railway upgrade.

As well as Manchester Airport, this will also affect the Heald Green, East Didsbury, Gatley, and Mauldeth Road stations.