Plans for ETFE roof are set to go out to public consultation, and construction could start in 2013

Network Rail has unveiled plans for a £20m upgrade of Manchester’s Victoria railway station.

Under the scheme a new roof made of ETFE will be erected – the same material used on the Eden Project.

The plans are set to go out to public consultation before a listed building application is submitted early next year.

The latest proposals follow the chancellor’s announcement in last month’s budget of funding for a line connecting the station with Manchester Piccadilly.

Funding for the project will comprise £16m from Network Rail with the rest coming from Transport for Greater Manchester.

Subject to planning approval, construction will begin in 2013 with works scheduled for completion in 2014.

Graham Botham, programme sponsor at Network Rail, said: “This is great news for passengers at Victoria.

“The numbers of people using the station could double by 2019, with faster, more frequent trains eventually to Leeds and Liverpool as part of the Northern Hub plans, so we need a station that reflects Manchester’s vibrant city centre.