Kier awarded £54m contract for Manchester Airport station upgrade

Kier has been awarded a £54m contract by Network Rail to remodel Manchester Airport railway station as part of a wider £115m investment to increase capacity and improve reliability.

image: Network Rail

The work will begin in winter 2026 and is expected to continue until mid-2028. It forms part of the Manchester Rail Upgrade programme, which aims to improve capacity and connectivity across Greater Manchester and the North West.

The project will extend platforms one to three to accommodate two six-car trains simultaneously on each platform. It will also involve remodelling the railway junction on the approach to the station, modifying track layouts, installing new retaining walls, reconstructing an overbridge and upgrading signalling and overhead power equipment.

The changes are intended to allow longer trains to serve the airport station and improve the movement of trains into and out of the terminus, providing greater operational flexibility and supporting more reliable services.

Network Rail said the investment would help accommodate future growth in rail and air travel and strengthen the station’s role as a connection between the North West and international destinations.

The station improvements are being delivered in partnership with Manchester Airports Group, Transport for Greater Manchester, the Department for Transport and train operators.