TfGM begins work to make stations more accessible

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has begun work on the first projects of 2026 as part of a rolling programme of accessibility upgrades at rail stations across the city-region.

TfGM is targeting twice as many rail stations in Greater Manchester becoming step-free over a three year period as were completed in the previous decade, with 63% of rail stations becoming step-free by March 2028.

Works have begun already on a £6.5 million upgrade to Hindley station, near Wigan that will see a new footbridge and passenger lifts installed. Work is also underway at Bryn station, with work at Reddish North and Swinton due to get under way later this year. Step-free access at Flowery Field, Newton for Hyde and Levenshulme will then follow.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

“Everyone should be able to use public transport easily, and the number of inaccessible train stations across Greater Manchester is an historic legacy that we are working hard to correct. 

“Over a three-year period, we will deliver upgrades at ten stations – twice as many as in the past decade – so that two-thirds are step-free by spring 2028.

“It’s great to start the new year with confirmation that work will get underway at Hindley in just a few weeks’ time, enabling more people to use the rail network and unlock the city-region’s growing potential.”

Improvements to accessibility across Greater Manchester’s stations com as 64 stations join the Bee Network by 2028 as part of integration of local rail services into the city-region’s public and active travel infrastructure.

Stuart Taylor, director of service delivery in Greater Manchester for rail operating company, Northern, which runs the majority of stations in the city-region, said:

“We are working with partners like Transport for Greater to improve accessibility for people who travel across our network and give them the confidence to travel by train.”

Accessibility campaigner Nathaniel Yates said of works beginning in Hindley:

“This is brilliant for the residents of Hindley and this is great progress from Transport for Greater Manchester and Network Rail in terms of step-free access making train stations accessible for everybody.”