£10 million upgrade of Salford Central railway station completed

A £10 million project to upgrade customer facilities and accessibility at a Salford railway station has been completed.

Accessible toilets, a new customer ticket office and a covered walkway from a lift on platform 1 have been installed at Salford Central station.

The city’s largest station has also benefited from a new roof on the upper level of the building, improvements to platforms and ramps, as well as more inclusive passenger information on display, such as a braille map.

The upgrade has been delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) in collaboration with Network Rail.

Salford Central will be one of nearly 100 railway stations brought under Greater Manchester’s Bee Network by 2030 – and this investment lays the groundwork for that transition.

TfGM say the improvements will deliver a better customer experience and improve accessibility, making journeys easier for everyone – from disabled passengers and older people to those travelling with pushchairs or heavy luggage.

Completed on time and on budget by Story Contracting, the work is part of TfGM’s ongoing commitment to improving transport infrastructure across Greater Manchester, transforming how people get around the city region and creating a world-class public transport system through the Bee Network.

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said: “This much-needed investment in our local rail network and stations is something we have worked closely with partners in the city to secure.

“The works at Salford Central will make it much easier for all passengers to use the station and improve their journeys. This is all part of our wider plans to create a fairer, greener and more inclusive city for all with access to great public transport that connects people with where they need to be.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Rail is key to our ambition to create a transport network for a global city region in Greater Manchester, connecting people to work, education, leisure and vital public services – and driving the growth our city-region needs to fulfil its huge potential.

“The work at Salford Central forms part of our plan to bring eight commuter rail lines into the Bee Network by 2028, as we build a more inclusive and accessible public transport network.

“We’re also committed to ramping up standards, making our stations safer and a more attractive place to be with 64 Greater Manchester stations joining the Bee Network by 2028, and the remaining 32 following by 2030.”

“Work at Salford Crescent is also close to completion, with a third platform built as part of a Network Rail £21m investment. The building of an additional platform will improve passenger flow and reduce train delays.

“Together, these works will improve journeys for rail passengers travelling in Greater Manchester and across the North.”

Julien Dehornoy, Network Rail North West & Central Deputy Regional Managing Director, said: “Our jointly funded upgrades at Salford Central are part of a wider programme to transform rail across Manchester and Salford.

“Working with TfGM, Northern and Salford City Council, we’ve delivered a station that’s easier to use, more accessible and ready for future growth.

“Passengers will benefit from improved facilities, including a new ticket office, accessible toilets and extended platform canopies – all designed to make journeys easier and more reliable.

“These enhancements prepare for the Bee Network, reduce congestion at peak times and improve the overall experience for everyone who uses the station – strengthening rail’s role as the preferred choice for passengers.”

Tricia Williams, Northern’s managing director, said: “Salford Central looks fantastic and we’re confident our customers will notice some big improvements, following this £10 million redevelopment.

“We are committed to working with partners like Transport for Greater Manchester and Network Rail to upgrade stations and make them more accessible, so we can give everyone the confidence to travel by train.”

In 2023, Network Rail and TfGM announced a partnership to deliver a joint vision for Manchester and Salford’s central railway stations.

Through the Salford Central Station Working Group, a collaboration between The Arch Co, TfGM, Northern, Network Rail, Muse and Salford City Council, a new scheme has been developed to refurbish and bring the arch behind the station back into use.

Following the submission of a planning application to Salford City Council, these works, anticipated to begin in early 2026, subject to approval, will include the refurbishment of the arch to deliver a vibrant new food and beverage offer.

This will include an improved public space, removing the concrete wall to the rear of the glass box station, and replacing this with a new entrance.

Work also continues on the Chapel Street East and New Bailey scheme to deliver improved pedestrian and cycling links as part of a long-term plan to improve connectivity with the station, the city centre and beyond.

The upgraded public realm will feature rain gardens, planting beds, new trees, better surfaces, and new street furniture, creating a safer, greener, and more welcoming space for all.

Greater Manchester is also rolling out a programme of upgrades aimed at boosting access to Greater Manchester’s rail network, with step-free schemes making travel inclusive for all.

Work on step-free access to platforms at Swinton railway station in Salford is scheduled to get underway next year.

Bee Network Disability Advocate Cllr Tracey Rawlins said: “Improving accessibility has been a core principle at the heart of the Bee Network as new improvements are rolled out.

“We want the Bee Network to be for everyone, which is why these upgrades are so important for its future, as well as the wellbeing of all our future passengers.”