Overview

Manchester Victoria is both a mainline railway station and a Metrolink tram stop. It is located north of the city centre on Hunts Bank, next to Manchester Arena. The station has six train platforms and four tram platforms. A section of the station has been marked as a shrine the 22 lives lost in the Manchester Arena bombing, a sombre memorial to a terrible event that showcased the love and compassion of the citizens of Manchester.

Transport & Parking

As the station features a Metrolink, I’d suggest the tram as being the best route to the station, particularly as the trams are highly accessible. There are no specified drop-off points, but there is a car park on Corporation Street 226m away. Accessible taxis pick up at the station.

Access

The access is level throughout the station, with lift access to the above-ground level. Induction loops are active on the platforms, in the toilet, at the assistance desk, and at the ticket booths. There is a lowered counter at the ticket booths, but the window was closed and looked like it had been for some time. There is seating throughout, mostly metal seats, but there’s also a Costa Coffee if you want somewhere a little more comfortable. The signage was pretty clear throughout. There’s a Metrolink inside the station, with level access to the trams. I couldn’t see anything at the platform, but there are induction loops on the trams. There is ramp access, with grab rails on both sides for those who need the support. The assistance office is located close to the ticket gates, some of which are double-wide to accommodate mobility devices. The office has a double door, with a touchpad to open, and features a lowered counter, induction loop, and BSL departure information.

Toilets

The facilities are modern, but I can’t bring myself to offer anything more than three due to some issues I have with the toilet. I put my RADAR key in the outward-opening door, but I still had to use the buzzer to speak to someone to gain entry—it took 50 seconds for someone to answer, an eternity when you have poor bladder control. When I was permitted entry, I learned that the toilet features voice guidance! Upon closing the door, an automated voice details the location of the toilet and the safety features—two red straps, one on either side of the toilet, in place of the typical red cord. After a further 30 seconds, the voice provides more detail on the facilities. I think this is an amazing addition to support blind and visually impaired people, though I have to admit, I found it particularly loud and a little jarring. A hearing loop is active, which is a nice touch. There were no obvious methods to opt out of the guidance, which may lead to a stressful experience for a neurodivergent person. As mentioned, the typical red cord is absent at this facility in favour of the red straps, which were both anchored around the grab rails and held in place using plastic bangles, making them impossible to pull from the floor. I promptly corrected this issue with both straps. When I had used the toilet, which has a soft backrest, I was drying my hands and heard a voice come through the speaker, explaining I had pulled the red strap and asking if I needed help. I explained I was okay, only for the voice to explain that they’re often set off by the hand dryers. That’s why they were tied up—they’re so sensitive that they set off an alert every time someone dried their hands. Rather than correcting the issue, it’s easier to tie the straps up so they don’t get pulled by accident. I found this to be a poor display that undermined all the hard work that had gone into this facility. There is space for a right-side transfer, but it is obstructed by a bin. The sink has a sensor tap and grab rails on both sides. The facilities are set against contrasting walls and feature a colostomy shelf and an alert button in each corner of the room. If not for the additional barrier to entry, the bin in the transfer space, and the problem with the red straps, I would have given the toilet a four.

Staff

I spoke to a member of the mobility assistance team on my visit, who was quick to highlight the BSL departure board—which I always love to see. They guided me to the toilet and were on hand to help if I was taking an onward journey. I wasn’t, but it was a nice thing to do and showed genuine care.

Photos