Shelter for train users at Christmas

HOME AND DRY (almost)... Councillor Richard Knowles at Greenfield station

STOIC rail travellers, faced with the revamp of their station hitting the buffers, will be able to stay dry over this festive period.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive has installed a new shelter on the platform of trouble-hit Greenfield station — and a second one will be completed this week.

Work on a major £300,000 refurbishment project was nearing completion when the contractor went into administration last month.

GMPTE has had to follow a rigorous legal process before appointing a new contractor — hopefully early in the New Year.

Paul Griffiths, GMPTE’s interim projects director, said: “We fully appreciate how frustrating this delay is to passengers, so we will provide temporary access to the new waiting areas over the holiday period.

“The delay has been unfortunate — and unavoidable — but we’ve been working non-stop to appoint a new contractor.”

Councillor Richard Knowles, who lives at Greenfield, is chairman of the GMPTA development committee.

He said: “I am pleased work has been undertaken to make two passenger shelters available — I hope a new contractor can quickly complete the outstanding work.”

Mike Rooke, secretary of the 200-strong Greenfield and Grasscroft residents’ association, said: “It (the delay) is very disappointing — but at least passengers will be able to stay dry.”

Work yet to be completed includes a new ticket office which will provide seating and will be accessible to wheelchairs.

A digital CCTV system is also to be installed.

The station will remain open while the work is completed.

A temporary ticket office, which has been operating from the front of the station since March, will remain until work is completed on the new office.

The outstanding work, which includes seating, drainage, platform resurfacing, handrails and CCTV installation.

Some 80 parking spaces are available at near-by Saddleworth Rangers Rugby Club. The free car park, funded by GMPTE, is staffed from 7am until 8pm, Monday to Friday.