Northern Trains are advising travellers to plan ahead for travel on the May bank holiday weekend as they are expecting a larger number of travellers.

Trains are expected to be very busy between Saturday, April 30 and Monday, May 2 across the Northern network.  

In addition, engineering work on some routes in Cheshire, Manchester and Cumbria will see some trains replaced by buses, meaning longer travel times on certain routes.

When are the UK bank holidays in 2022?

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “We know the bank holiday provides a great opportunity for people to get out, explore and enjoy all the North of England has to offer.  

“We’re doing all we can to prepare for the weekend and are also asking our customers to plan ahead, expect services to be busy, allow extra time for journeys and, where possible, to avoid travelling during the busiest times.”  

Which Northern routes will have bus replacements during the May bank holiday weekend?

Saturday, April 30

Buses replace trains between Stalybridge, Ashton-under-Lyne and Guide Bridge for connections to and from Manchester Piccadilly.

There will be no buses between Manchester Victoria and Ashton-under-Lyne. 

Sunday, May 1

Buses replace trains between: 

  • Carlisle and Maryport 
  • Manchester Victoria, Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge 
  • Manchester Piccadilly, Stockport, Macclesfield and Stoke-on-Trent. 

Monday. May 2

Buses replace trains between: 

  • Stockport, Macclesfield and Stoke-on-Trent. Please use alternative train services between Manchester Piccadilly and Stockport 
  • Stalybridge, Ashton-under-Lyne and Guide Bridge for connections to and from Manchester Piccadilly. There will be no buses between Manchester Victoria and Ashton-under-Lyne 

For full details of Northern’s timetables – and the planned engineering work visit their website here.