Starting date for £1.3m rail revamp

WORK to bring almost £1.3 million of new customer facilities to 10 train stations across Greater Manchester, including Greenfield, is due to get under way this month.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) has welcomed the installation of customer information screens, CCTV, public address systems and help points at stations in Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

GMITA is investing £1 million and the Department for Transport has provided a grant of £280,000 from the Access for All fund.

Manchester councillor Keith Whitmore, chairman of GMITA, said: “It is crucial for us to make it as easy as possible for people to travel by bus, train or tram and that is why were are investing in these new facilities. They will improve safety and security and will help to keep people up to speed with exactly when their train is due — all of which will be wholeheartedly welcomed by passengers, I am sure.”

The new and improved facilities are due to be introduced at Burnage, Cheadle Hulme, Greenfield, Guide Bridge, Mauldeth Road and Swinton stations by autumn this year, and at Heaton Chapel, Mossley, Orrell and Romiley stations by early next year.

Plans are also being developed to provide similar facilities at Davenport, East Didsbury, Gatley, Heald Green, Levenshulme, Littleborough, Mills Hill and Urmston stations by spring 2010.

GMITA has also endorsed plans to use Wigan’s Transport Infrastructure Fund to provide the facilities at Bryn station.

The developments form part of GMITA’s Rail Station Improvement Strategy, which aims to improve existing passenger security and information systems at stations across the county.

The long list of stations was finalised in consultation with local authorities following a study into passenger facilities.