A £1m package of upgrades to Bolton station has been announced by Network Rail, Northern and TransPennine Express.
Between now and next spring,new seating and signage will be fitted and the station toilets and waiting rooms will be revamped.
Pigeon netting will be fitted to help keep the space clean and and the under-used Victorian building on platforms four and five will be refurbished for potential retail, enterprise and community use.
Amy Clare, associate sponsor at Network Rail, said: “The Manchester-Preston line upgrade is almost complete. This will allow faster, more frequent, more reliable electric trains to run from May onwards.
“In addition to that, the rail industry is investing a further £1m to make things fresher and nicer for train customers at Bolton. We hope station-users notice the difference.”
Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “These fantastic improvements at Bolton station will go hand-in-hand with our own plans which, in the very near future, will see the introduction of brand new trains serving the town – and beyond.
“We are also investing millions in improvements at stations meaning that wherever you travel on a Northern train you will enjoy a better journey than ever before.”
Kathryn O’Brien, customer experience director for TransPennine Express, said: “2019 is a big year for customers in the north with many new trains coming into service, providing a much improved experience, more seats and faster trains. It’s great that we are working with the rail industry to invest in a station that Bolton can be proud of, providing customers with facilities that will make their experience of rail travel more rewarding.”
Professor Paul Salveson MBE, chair of Bolton Station Community Development Partnership, said:“This is great news. The work will completely transform this historic station, laying the basis for some really exciting and creative community and arts-based projects at the station which will give it a new vibrancy, making it an attractive and welcoming place for passengers.”
