Public invited to learn more about major accessibility upgrade at Mills Hill station

Photo: Network Rail

An aerial view of Mills Hill Railway Station

The multi-million-pound investment at Mills Hill Railways Station will see a new ramp built on the Manchester bound platform and a new lift and staircase installed on the Rochdale bound side.

This will help customers with reduced mobility, families with prams and those carrying heavy luggage.

Due to the limited space at the station, temporary buildings for construction staff have to be located in the station car park. This means there will be no parking available throughout the duration of the work from 23:00 on Wednesday 17 July until the end of March 2020.

On Thursday 11 July from 4pm to 7pm, Network Rail’s project team will host an information event at Mills Hill Baptist Church, Mills Hill Road, Middleton so residents and passengers can learn the latest information about the project which is due to start on 18 July.

Anyone who can’t make the information event can call Network Rail’s 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41 to find out more.

Simon Smith, sponsor for Network Rail, said: “With the project due to start in the coming weeks we’re really keen to share with local people how we will carry out the work and explain how the improvements will transform rail travel for passengers in and around Mills Hill.

“We are working closely with the station operator, Northern, to ensure our work brings as little disruption as possible to neighbours and passengers.”

Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said: “The improvements at Mills Hill will make our network more accessible than ever before and give more customers even more journey opportunities.

“We are working closely with colleagues at Network Rail to keep disruption to a minimum and I’d like to thank our customers, in advance, for their patience and understanding whilst the work takes place.”

There will be no disruption to train services while work takes place and a temporary bridge will be built for passengers between the two platforms.

The major station upgrade is due to be finished by the end of March 2020 and has been funded by the Department of Transport’s ‘Access for All’ programme. The project was originally planned to start last year but was delayed after Network Rail chose a different contractor.

The accessibility improvements also form part of the wider Great North Rail Project – a rail industry effort to deliver better stations, track and trains across the North by 2020.