A major £10m upgrade to deliver a better customer experience and improve accessibility at Salford Central station has been completed. Led by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), in collaboration with Network Rail and Northern Trains, the work is part of the transport operators’ commitment to improving transport infrastructure across Greater Manchester.
TfGM said the upgrades at Salford Central are part of the journey to bring rail into the Bee Network and help to drive economic growth across the city-region. Work at Salford Crescent is also close to completion, with a third platform built as part of a Network Rail £21m investment. The construction of an additional platform is expected to improve passenger flow and reduce train delays.
What improvements have been made to Salford Central station?
The station improvements at Salford Central include a new customer ticket office, accessible toilets and a covered walkway from the lift on platform 1. The works at Salford’s largest railway station also include a new roof on the upper level of the building, improvements to the platforms and ramps, as well as more inclusive passenger information on display, such as a braille map.
Julien Dehornoy, Network Rail North West & Central Deputy Regional Managing Director, said: “Our jointly funded upgrades at Salford Central are part of a wider programme to transform rail across Manchester and Salford. Working with TfGM, Northern and Salford City Council, we’ve delivered a station that’s easier to use, more accessible and ready for future growth.
“Passengers will benefit from improved facilities including a new ticket office, accessible toilets and extended platform canopies – all designed to make journeys easier and more reliable. These enhancements prepare for the Bee Network, reduce congestion at peak times and improve the overall experience for everyone who uses the station – strengthening rail’s role as the preferred choice for passengers.”
Work to bring the arch behind Salford Central station back into use
In 2023, Network Rail and TfGM announced a partnership to deliver a joint vision for Manchester and Salford’s central railway stations. Through the Salford Central Station Working Group, a collaboration between The Arch Co, TfGM, Northern, Network Rail, Muse and Salford City Council, a new scheme has been developed to refurbish and bring the arch behind the station back into use.
Following the submission of a planning application to Salford City Council, these works, anticipated to begin in early 2026, subject to approval, will include the refurbishment of the arch to deliver a vibrant new food and beverage offer. This will consist of an improved public space, removing the concrete wall to the rear of the glass box station, and replacing it with a new entrance.
What other improvements are being made in the Salford area?
Work also continues on the Chapel Street East and New Bailey scheme to deliver improved pedestrian and cycling links as part of a long-term plan to improve connectivity with the station, the city centre and beyond. The upgraded public realm will feature rain gardens, planting beds, new trees, better surfaces, and new street furniture, creating a safer, greener, and more welcoming space for all.
Greater Manchester is also rolling out a programme of upgrades aimed at boosting access to Greater Manchester’s rail network, with step-free schemes making travel inclusive for all. Work on step-free schemes at Bryn, Hindley, Reddish North and Swinton in Salford is scheduled to start in the next year.