Better facilities for Salford Crescent passengers

Passengers are benefitting from better access and facilities at Salford Crescent station following a £12m upgrade which will allow the station to meet growing passenger demand in the city.

The station, which services 1.5m passengers a year, now has a new ticket office, better customer information and security systems plus a new lift to make the station fully accessible for the first time. In addition, the platforms have more space, new canopies and seating which have been extended to accommodate longer six-car trains. The improvements will enable the station to handle the increasing population in Salford and extra commuter numbers from across Greater Manchester.

Dyan Crowther, Network Rail route director said: “Along with the rest of the rail network, more passengers are using Salford Crescent than ever before, with demand forecast to continue increasing in years to come. The rebuilding of Salford Crescent delivers a better experience for passengers and will allow it to handle the ever increasing numbers of people who want to use the railways.

“In the long term, we have big plans for further improving the rail network across the north through the Northern Hub, which will create space for up for 700 more trains every day and help provide over £4bn worth of wider economic benefits for the region.”

Salford City Council and Urban Vision provided support and funding for a new taxi lay-by, improved passenger walkways, and the refurbishment of the footpath down to the platform.

Opening the revamped station, Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart, said: “Salford is one of the fastest growing cities in Britain and we need our local transport to be able to cope with that.

“The changes by Network Rail and Salford City Council mean that Salford Crescent, a crucial part of the local train network, can meet the huge demand it now faces from passengers.

“Salford is growing, jobs are being created and now commuters can get to work more easily.”

Lee Wasnidge, Area Director for Northern Rail added: “Salford Crescent is a station on the rise; in line with investment in the north west and with passenger numbers continuing to grow, improvements in access and facilities will deliver better journeys for our customers.”