Busy Northern station gets major overhaul

It has been more than a year in the making but passengers can now enjoy the station’s new look – and it has been worth the wait.  

New signage and seating have been fitted at the station, with toilets and waiting rooms refurbished and pigeon netting fitted to aid cleanliness. 

The large rooms on platforms four and five, dating back to the early 1900s, have been restored to their former glory and will be used for innovative community and educational projects and retail facilities. The staff break areas have also been revamped alongside the station manager’s office. 

The Platform 5 Gallery has already had exhibitions and a full programme is ready to start once COVID-19 restrictions are removed.  

Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said: “These fantastic improvements at Bolton station are part of the programme of transformation we are undertaking at stations across our network. This means that, wherever you travel on a Northern train, you will enjoy a better journey than ever before.” 

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the project – it has truly been a team effort and will benefit everyone, customers and staff alike.” 

Network Rail, Northern and Bolton and South Lancashire Community Rail Partnership and the Station Partnership worked together to enhance the station, investing more than £2.6 million in the refurbishment.  

The work is part of the Great North Rail Project (GNRP), a railway upgrade plan which, will is delivering a multi-billion pound package of improvements for passengers across the north of England.  

Rory Kingdon, senior sponsor for Network Rail, said: “The multimillion-pound investment at Bolton station is fantastic news for passengers and the local community. 

“This much-needed Great North Rail Project work means the station will be a better and more pleasant space for years to come.” 

Prof. Paul Salveson, Chair of Bolton and South Lancashire Community Rail Partnership and secretary of the Station Partnership said: “This has been a fantastic project, providing passengers, staff and a range of local community groups with a much-improved facility. We look forward to working with Northern, Network Rail and a range of partners to develop the station as a thriving community hub which will be a national showpiece.”