GMCA to sign off funding for Farnworth town centre

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is expected to approve a £2m funding package to overhaul Farnworth bus station, and invest in public realm and access in the town centre when it meets this Friday.

The GMCA has agreed a funding package of £1.7m from the Local Growth Deal and £200,000 from TfGM to support the scheme.

The works will include a series of improvements to Farnworth bus station, including an overhauled waiting area, new bus stops, the addition of CCTV, and improved street lighting.

This will be delivered alongside works across the town centre to enhance public realm and access. These will include additional pedestrian crossings and bus stops; improved pavements and a remodelling of the King Street and Market Street junction.

Recommending the scheme for funding approval, GMCA said it would “make a significant contribution to the regeneration of Farnworth tow centre.”

The works will be run by Bolton Council and will be procured via the Council’s highways framework, with project management support from TfGM. It is expected work will begin in the spring, and the bus station is expected to complete in the summer.

Architect AEW was commissioned to create a masterplan for Farnworth’s town centre in 2013, which included an overhaul of the town’s precinct and market. However, these plans are yet to be progressed.