Salford Crescent third platform enters rail service ahead of passenger opening

Passenger opening follows rail commissioning

Salford Crescent’s new third platform joined the rail network on 12 October, according to Network Rail. For now, trains will stop there only during disruption. Network Rail says Platform 3 and its new passenger facilities will fully open when the timetable changes on 13 December 2026 [1].

The £21m station upgrade includes a new lift, staircase and ticket gate lines. Network Rail has not reported in this announcement that the new lift is already available to passengers. The distinction between bringing a platform into rail service and opening its facilities matters to anyone planning a journey that depends on step-free access [1].

Part of the Manchester Rail Upgrade

Kier delivered the Salford Crescent scheme for Network Rail as part of a group of three Manchester-area projects. The other two, turnback sidings near Manchester Victoria, entered service on 19 October. Network Rail expects their passenger benefits to be felt from the May 2027 timetable [1].

For the lift sector, the station development is a forthcoming passenger opening within a wider rail-capacity programme. Network Rail’s update does not identify a separate lift contract or confirm that the lift has opened [1].