Northern completes upgrades at two Greater Manchester stations

UK-based rail operator Northern has completed upgrade works at two Greater Manchester stations in a bid to improve passenger experience.

The upgrade work at Cheadle Hulme and New Mills Newtown stations included refurbishing the station buildings, waiting rooms and ticket offices.

The two stations were also equipped with customer information boards, seating and stairway handrails.

Northern regional director Chris Jackson said: “I would like to thank our customers for their patience while improvement works were carried out.

“Cheadle Hulme and New Mills Newtown are valued local stations and these works will help us provide a better travelling experience for all our customers.”

Network Rail funded the improvement work, which cost around £350,000.

Last week, Northern bid farewell to its Pacer fleet after the last train retired following its final journey from Kirkby to Manchester Victoria.

In more than 35 years, the Pacer fleet of 102 trains completed more than 300 million miles of journey.

Northern started retiring its Pacer trains in 2019, as new vehicles were introduced into the services.

Following the final journey, Jackson noted: “The Pacers have kept millions of northerners on the move and while they have served us well and provided some communities with rail services they may have otherwise lost, it is time to give them a well-earned rest.

“Northern has overseen significant modernisation in recent months and the retiring Pacers have made way for a fleet of 100 brand-new trains, which are already servicing people across the north of England.”

The rail franchise is currently operated by the Government of the UK, which assumed control earlier this year after the operator encountered financial troubles.