Salford Central set to welcome passengers again
The first phase of the £10m modernisation plan to make the station more efficient has concluded, with travellers set to return on Wednesday, 23 April – two days behind schedule.
Cumbrian-based Story Contracting commenced work on the Seed Architects-designed scheme in February.
Salford Central will benefit from improved aesthetics, accessibility, and customer service, with designs integrating the station with the Bee Network brand.
Plans also detail a replacement roof on the station’s upper level, the widening of platform two, the installation of a replacement ticket office, improved signage and accessibility, as well as higher quality information points for passengers. A covered walkway to platform one has also been erected.
The station had been due to open on Monday 21 April, but last-minute safety checks delayed the opening until after the bank holiday.
Simon Elliot, network director for rail at TfGM, said: “The first phase of work at Salford Central is complete and passengers will soon be able to enjoy the upgrades.
“While the main work is done, Northern require more time to carry out the essential checks to ensure passengers’ safety prior to the station reopening.
“We will continue to work closely with Northern and Network Rail, as well as the main contractor, to meet the revised reopening date.”
Matt Rice, chief operating officer, Northern, added: “We realise that Salford Central being closed for an extra few days may be inconvenient, but safety is our top priority, and we need to make sure the station is safe for everybody to use.”
He added that the station would be a “fantastic facility” and would “transform” the customer experience.
There will be additional closures at the station on Sunday 27 April and Sunday 4 May, with no trains stopping at Salford Central on these days.
The final phases of Salford Central’s revamp are expected to be rounded off by October 2025.
Salford Crescent, the city’s other key transport hub, is also currently subject to improvement works, with the £21m scheme announcing a wave of closures in preparation for work to start in January.
A perfect case study for Sandhills, should anyone from Merseytravel care to give these chaps a call.
By Saint Domingo
Any new platforms? Or still less than half a station?
By Mark Clayton
Few of the things mentioned have anything
to do with railway investment.
By Ed Martin
Stood on platform 1 right now. Look’s exactly the same. Complete with leaks and puddles
By Anonymous
There no point to build a new platforms because there no train operation between Salford Central and Liverpool and between Salford Central to Manchester Airport or Via Crewe. The 7,000 people who live near Salford Central it completely unfair because there is absolutely no connection to Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester Airport and Crewe, what the point to building new platforms it absolutely waste. They people NEED new four platforms it will be better connection to Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester Airport and Crewe make the best for everyone who live in near Salford Central can travel from there.
By G J Kitchener
Please go back and actually look at the ‘work’ that has been done and then write another article with pictures included. After diverting commuters via Manchester Victoria for over 3 months adding time onto commutes, with no compensation, we were hoping to see huge improvements and most welcomed the work on the somewhat derelict station. At this point the station is actually worse, it would be interesting to see a breakdown of where the £10million spend is going!
By Anonymous