Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Network Rail are investing £10m to deliver accessibility and customer upgrades at Salford Central station starting in early 2025.
The much-needed station improvements will deliver a better passenger experience and modernise Salford’s biggest railway station, supporting the growth of the city-region.
The TfGM-led work, which will take place between January and October 2025, will include a new customer ticket office and modernisation of the station building.
There will be new accessible toilets built and improvements to the platform ramps and more inclusive passenger information on display, such as braille maps.
Salford Central will also include new customer information points and signage for passengers to join up with the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s joined-up public transport and active travel network.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “We’re investing to upgrade Salford Central and deliver our plans for a modern, accessible, integrated public transport system across Greater Manchester.
“These improvements are a big step forward on our journey to bringing commuter rail lines into the Bee Network by 2028, helping connect more people to new opportunities and driving economic growth across the city-region.”
As part of the works, Salford Central will be closed from Monday 10 February to Monday 21 April 2025, with additional closures on Sunday 27 April and Sunday 4 May.
Trains will not stop at Salford Central during the work. Passengers are being encouraged to plan ahead as the station improvements will lead to some disruption on people’s journeys.
To support rail passengers, ticket acceptance will be in place on Bee Network buses between Salford Crescent, Salford Central, and key city centre stations, including Manchester Oxford Road. This arrangement will run from 10 February to 21 April 2025 and on specified weekends.
Alongside the works at Salford Central, Network Rail will build a third platform at Salford Crescent station, reducing delays and improving train congestion through the busy Castlefield corridor. This work requires weekend closures between March and September 2025.
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said: “The upgrades at Salford Central and Salford Crescent will provide long-term benefits for our residents and commuters. This is something I have been actively campaigning on with local councillors.
“I now look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have on improving everyone’s experiences travelling into the city.”
The new upgrades at Salford Central station are part of Greater Manchester’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the transport infrastructure across the city region, improving accessibility and delivering a better experience for everyone through the Bee Network.
Nathaniel Yates, rail accessibility activist, emphasised: “The accessibility improvements planned for Salford Central are a welcome step forward. There is still a long way to go to improving access at train stations, so it is the norm for anyone using them. But it’s great to see TfGM prioritising accessibility and working to make journeys better for everyone.”
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Bee Network Disability Advocate, and Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport for Manchester City Council, said: “This is a welcome investment and will make a tangible and lasting impact for people with accessibility issues travelling through Salford Central.
“By making small adaptions to our shared spaces we are breaking down barriers that many people with disabilities can face on a daily basis and ensuring that everywhere – rightly so – is accessible for everyone.”
Train operator, Northern, is working with Network Rail and TfGM to keep passengers informed during the work.
Chris Coleman, Industry Programme Director at Network Rail, said: “We are pleased to be working with TfGM to upgrade Salford Central station. We are always looking to improve services for our passengers, and this investment will help to make Salford Central more accessible whilst enhancing the overall experience of using the station.
“We’re also investing in Salford Crescent station, building an additional platform which will improve passenger flow and relieve congestion for trains travelling through central Manchester and across the country.
“The work includes a new exit ticket gate line for smoother journeys. To carry out this work, there will be no trains in Salford over several weekends in 2025 between March and September. We’re sorry for this disruption, and grateful for the patience of the Salford community while these important upgrades take place.”
Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “We welcome this investment and the improved experience it will bring to our customers using Salford Central. During the planned closure of the station, customers should ‘check before you travel’ to see how their journey will be affected.”
Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance by. For more information on the projects and travel advice, visit Railway upgrades in Salford – Network Rail.
Image credit: Transport for Greater Manchester
