A UK city has received a huge boost as its railway station is reopened after a £10million revamp. Salford Central station, which has seen a significant increase in customers over the years, is undergoing “major works to modernise” it, with the first phase now complete. The interchange has been temporarliy closed since February 10 and was due to reopen on April 21. But this was postponed to “allow time to carry out final safety checks”. Upgrades include a new roof on the upper level, the widening of platform 2, a new ticket office and improved signage and passenger information points.
In the coming months, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will also deliver new accessible toilets, a covered walkway from the lift to platform 1, further improvements to the platform ramps and “more inclusive” passenger information displays, like braille maps. Officials also note that there will be another closures at the station on May 4. This will mean trains will not stop at the interchange.
Instead, passengers are being encouraged to plan ahead as the improvement works will lead to “some disruption” to people’s journeys.
Later, there will be several weekends between March and September 2025 during which the line will be blocked at Salford Crescent.
Bosses explained: “Since the station opened in 1987, customer numbers have increased year-on-year.
“In 2022/23 the station handled almost 1.2million entries and exits, making it one of the busiest stations in Greater Manchester.
“The station is now at the point where the existing platform can no longer cope with the increasing number of customers using it, so we’re building a new third platform, which will improve passenger flow and reduce train delays across Manchester and the North West.”
Network Rail says on its website: “Work continues as we modernise the station building, install a covered walkway from the lift to platform 1, new accessible toilets and improve the ramps to the platform.
“Work at the station will continue until October 2025.”