A £750k upgrade of a Tameside railway station aimed at improving facilities for passengers has been completed.
The scheme at Hattersley station, in Hyde, includes a new and improved waiting area which has workspaces and seating.
The works were approved Tameside’s executive cabinet back in November 2020, with councillors saying it was aimed at tackling transport pressures in the area.
Hattersley station serves around 10,000 passengers a year on the direct line to Manchester Piccadilly.
In a joint statement Councillor Jacqueline North, deputy executive leader and chair of the Hattersley Land Board, and Coun Jan Jackson, executive member for planning, transport and connectivity, said: “The works to the train station are an important part of the projects undertaken so far to improve Hattersley.
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“Providing a modern and sustainable ticket office ensures we are supporting essential public transport networks across Tameside and its great news for residents.
“Adding this to the projects already transforming and bringing new homes helps to continue make Hattersley a great place to live and work.”
The first phase of improvements at the station which were completed in 2016 saw the realignment of Hattersley Road West passing immediately outside the station ticket office and new bus stops provided opposite the station.
A new car park with capacity for 42 spaces covered by enhanced CCTV was also created which has since seen the number of people parking at the station greatly increase.
From 2015 to 2019, annual passenger numbers at Hattersley have more than doubled from just under 52,000 to 111,000.
Alongside the other works now finished, a new fully accessible toilet has also been installed which includes baby changing, grab rails and an audio description for customers with visual impairments.
Passengers can gain access via either a radar key, a train ticket QR code or video access linked directly to Northern’s customer contact centre which runs 24 hours a day. There are also user activated multiple distress cords and low-level panic buttons.
Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, added: “The significant improvements to Hattersley station will help to enhance the overall experience for our customers – whether that’s buying a ticket, waiting for a train, or getting information about our services.”
The scheme was funded by a £750,000 grant given to Tameside council from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, through the Manchester Growth and Reform Plan Transport Strategy and Investment Plan.
Separately council chiefs had stated they were also planning to provide a new bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders across the railway to provide access to the station.
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