£10m upgrade completed at Salford Central to improve accessibility and passenger experience

A major multi-million-pound investment to modernise Salford Central station and make it more accessible for all rail users has been completed on time and on budget.

The £10 million scheme, led by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) in partnership with Network Rail and Northern Trains, has delivered a range of improvements to Salford’s busiest station, including a new ticket office, modernised platforms, accessible toilets and inclusive signage such as braille maps.

Upgrades also include a new roof, improved ramps and a covered walkway from the lift on platform 1, making the station safer and easier to use for disabled passengers, older people, and families with prams or luggage.

The redevelopment was carried out by Story Contracting and forms part of Greater Manchester’s wider ambition to integrate rail services into the Bee Network by 2028, creating a world-class, inclusive transport system.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, welcomed the milestone, saying: “Rail is key to our ambition to create a transport network for a global city region. The work at Salford Central forms part of our plan to bring eight commuter rail lines into the Bee Network by 2028.”

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett praised the improvements, calling them “much-needed” and central to plans to make the city fairer, greener, and more connected.

Work is also nearing completion at Salford Crescent, where Network Rail is delivering a £21 million upgrade including a third platform to ease congestion and improve reliability.

Alongside these completed works, future upgrades are already in planning. A proposal to bring the unused archway behind Salford Central back into public use has been submitted for planning approval, with works expected to begin in 2026. The refurbished space is set to house a new food and drink venue with a public entrance and improved links to the surrounding area.

Further investments are also being made to improve step-free access at stations including Swinton, Bryn, Hindley and Reddish North, as part of the city-region’s commitment to inclusive travel.

Cllr Tracey Rawlins, the Bee Network’s Disability Advocate, said: “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.”

The works are part of Greater Manchester’s £2.5 billion Transport for the City Regions programme, which aims to electrify public transport, integrate rail and bus services, and deliver growth across the city-region.