A busy railway station on the edge of Manchester city centre has now closed for six months for a huge multi-million pound refurbishment.
The work at Salford Central railway station will see platform heights increased and roof canopies, track and signals upgraded.
The station already has lifts to the platform, but Network Rail said the stepping distance between trains and the platform edge was too far for most trains to accommodate ramps safely. Raising the height of the platform will mean ramps can be used for all trains.
Network Rail said it was investing £7.3m to overhaul the station, which closed on January 2 and is not due to open again until the summer.
"The much-needed station improvements will provide a better travelling experience for passengers and improve train reliability across Greater Manchester," said a spokesman. "Platforms will be raised to reduce the gap between ground level and train doors meaning ramps can be used to board all services for the first time.
"This will make the station accessible for disabled people, those with heavy luggage and parents or carers with buggies and pushchairs."
Trains will not stop at Salford Central during the work. Instead, a peak time rail replacement shuttle service will run every 15 minutes between Salford Crescent, Salford Central and Manchester Victoria.
Joanna Feilding, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: "This package of improvements for Salford Central will benefit the thousands of passengers who use the station each year and make it much more accessible.
"Because the work means we must close the station for six months we wanted to make people aware of the improvements to come. I'd like to thank people in advance for their patience and we're looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the new and improved Salford Central station in summer 2023."
Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: "Salford Central has been serving the people of Salford and Manchester for 184 years. We welcome this much-needed investment, which will make a real difference to the customer experience and ensure the station can continue to serve the local community for many more generations to come."
Paul Dennett, City Mayor of Salford, added: "Salford Central is at the heart of our new business district, New Bailey and needs this investment to make it truly accessible and fit for the 21st century."
The station on New Bailey Street dates back to 1838 and was renamed as Salford Central in 1988.
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