Northern customers to benefit from £650,000 car park improvements

The rail operator has laid more than 12,035 square metres of tarmac – about the size of 46 tennis courts - as part of the improvement works and has given passengers a ‘Better Way to Go’. 

Northern’s campaign – ‘A Better Way to Go’ - highlights the work being done by the train operator to improve its stations for passengers. 

The £650,000 project was funded by Network Rail and has seen Windermere, Hyde North, Reddish North, Newton for Hyde, Disley, Dent, Styal, Castleton, Grange Over Sands and Meadowhall stations car parks given a facelift. 

Northern has also relined the car parks to create safe walking routes and 353 parking spaces, including more accessible bays.  

Mark Powles, Customer and Commercial Director at Northern, said: “Our priority is always to make sure stations are safe, accessible and welcoming places for our customers. 

“We are transforming our network to give customers better journeys and the improvements at our car parks will ensure those journeys begin and end in a more pleasant environment.  

“We’ve made great strides with enhancements, large and small, across our entire network and car parks are just one part of it. Our new ‘A Better Way to Go’ campaign demonstrates the hard work that has taken place as we continue to transform rail travel in the north and I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in making such a positive impact for the north.” 

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North and East route, said: “For many passengers, the station car park is the beginning of their rail experience. The improvements will make these gateways to the railway much more welcoming, and we’re delighted to have worked alongside our partners at Northern to deliver these upgrades.” 

The ‘Better Way to Go’ campaign, which will deliver improvements at stations, on-trains and online, will include: 

• Industry-leading mobility scooter policy 
• Roll-out of more bodycam units for station staff 
• Improved CCTV 

• Car park refurbishments 
• Platform extensions 

As part of the campaign, Northern has launched an online tool allowing people to find out what improvements have been made to their local station. To find out improvements at your local station visit https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/better