Greater Manchester railway stations set for upgrades
Mossley Station and Greenfield Station are set for new looks, with Network Rail revealing their possible future appearances ahead of a public consultation later this month.
Mossley Station is set to be relocated less than .2 miles away from its current home. This would enable a more accessible station with footbridge and lifts – as well as an extended platform.
Greenfield Station is also due an accessibility upgrade and a platform extension.
Tony Gee and Partners is leading the project as the engineer, with Manchester-based Seed Architects handling the design of the stations themselves.
Mossley Station will be relocated within a short distance of its current home off Manchester Road. Credit: Seed Architects
The revamp to both stations is part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme, a series of works set to improve reliability and speed of train travel between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York. According to Network Rail, TRU should make the Manchester to York journey in 66 minutes and the Manchester to Leeds trip in under 45.
The upcoming consultation, set to launch of 16 September, will go beyond the stations. Also on the docket: the full electrification of the line between Stalybridge and Diggle and the installation of overhead line equipment – especially at Uppermill Viaduct, which is also known as Saddleworth Viaduct.
“The TRU Stalybridge to Diggle public consultation is the opportunity for the public to hear about our exciting plans for the area, which includes improved, more accessible stations at Mossley and Greenfield for the first time in the route’s history,” said TRU sponsor Mark Ashton.
Ashton continued: “We want to bring the people of Stalybridge, Heyrod, Mossley, Greenfield, Uppermill and Diggle with us on this journey. I urge the local community and businesses to look at our plans through our virtual consultation room or at the in-person events and let us know their thoughts through our feedback form.”
After taking on the feedback from the consultation, Network Rail aims to submit a transport and works order application to the secretary of state next summer.
What a farce.
Mossley does not need relocation, or lifts. The station is in the town centre now and all it needs for pedestrian access is a ramp from Stamford St onto the eastbound platform and that is DDA satisfied and around £1m saved with no need for any lifts whatsoever. The car park needs the existing access to be closed and the old coal yard gates on Manchester Road to be used to access a car park double or treble its present size. The station stays in the town. Car parking is improved. No new build is necessary, meaning that the existing townscape remains – What is not to like?? Except less fees to the CON sultants?
Greenfield – the most awkward location one could imagine – but again pedestrian ramps using the existing available area will assist albeit that further car parking here is impossible.
And why no plans for an Uppermill station or a re-opening at Diggle??
All headlines and no substance!
By Anonymous
The main reason for moving the station is the need for a neutral section of overhead wires that will begin immediately after trains leave the current station for Manchester. Trains will need to build up speed so they can coast through this without getting stuck. The neutral section has to be there because of the proximity of the houses that back on to the railway.
By MARK DRURY
Its time to get the disused rail corridor from Skelton Junction to Partington reopened either as a railway or cycle path, its a great route in Trafford.
By Dazzle
What about Reddish North – no access to Sheffield platform for any disability
By Anonymous
Can you imagine the traffic chaos around Greenfield Station while this is being carried out. Traffic lights for months with little or no work being done.
By Anonymous
@Mark Drury, you have clearly misunderstood the purpose of the comments section. It is not here to spread logical, reasoned information. It’s for ill-informed hot takes and skyscraper cheerleaderism only.
By Bob Allatt
Nathan – I wonder if you’d think differently if you were less able-bodied yourself? Extraordinarily selfish comment
By Anonymous
All over the north West needs looking into
And includes main line stations
Crewe Preston Desperately need upgrading!
By Rail enthusiast
It is with some hope and much bravery by Trafford Council that the rail corridor from Skelton Junction to Cadishead in Salford (CLC) will reopen again with a much needed rail line or Metro link, maybe even as a cycle/walk/run path
By DiggleDaz
After TRU is completed these are going to be one of the lucky places where you can live and work in both Manchester and Leeds. I’m guessing in return for the billions of investment they are going to get some more housing…. Right?
By Rich X
And there you go – railway operations put ahead of customer needs! Everything that was wrong with this botched privatisation summed up in one sentence! You need a neutral section – put it up near Grasscroft where the trains are coasting anyway!
By Anonymous
I communicated from Mossley every day in the 1980s and early 90. I loved the station it was like going back in time with a proper waiting room with original wooden benches. I even think there was a coal fire early on. Over the last 20 years it has been run down which is so sad. No need to move it, just take it back to the way it was
By Anonymous
Obviously more inconvenient but unfortunately the overhead lines need much more space. Am looking forward to cleaner and quieter electric trains on this route
By Andrew Battersby
That comment by “Nathan” needs to be removed. Awful. I know you moderate your comments so sort it out.
By @Moderator