New lifts bring step-free access to Irlam station

• Two new lifts installed at Irlam station as part of rolling programme of upgrades aimed at boosting access to Greater Manchester’s rail network, with step-free schemes making travel inclusive for all

• Scheme quickly follows accessibility upgrades at Daisy Hill, with twice as many rail stations in Greater Manchester to be step-free in the next three years than in the preceding decade

• Work on step-free schemes at Swinton, Hindley, Bryn and Reddish North scheduled to get under way next year

• Rolling programme of upgrades also forms part of Greater Manchester’s wider plans to bring eight commuter rail lines into the Bee Network by 2028

Two new lifts have been installed at Irlam station as part of a £5.75m investment to make the station easier to use for all passengers. Providing easy, step free access to and from the platforms, the scheme is part of a rolling programme of upgrades aimed at boosting access to Greater Manchester’s rail network.

To celebrate the completion of the works Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and  Salford's Statutory Deputy City Mayor, Councillor Tracy Kelly, were joined at the station by accessibility campaigners, members of the community and the Hamilton Davies Trust for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The improvements – funded by the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) – are part of a collaborative effort between Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE) and Network Rail.

The accessibility upgrades will make the station much easier for passengers to use, especially those who are wheelchair users, have limited mobility, or are travelling with bicycles, pushchairs or luggage.

It follows the completion of works at Daisy Hill last month and is all part of Greater Manchester’s push to make twice as many rail stations in the city-region step-free in the next three years than in the preceding decade.  

Work on step-free access schemes at Swinton, Hindley, Bryn and Reddish North are all scheduled to get under way next year, with accessibility improvements at Flowery Field, Newton for Hyde, Bredbury and Levenshulme to follow.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “It’s great to see these new lifts operating at Irlam just weeks after the official opening of the step-free scheme at Daisy Hill.

“We are now beginning to deliver accessibility improvements at stations across Greater Manchester at a much greater pace than in the preceding decades, as we strive to deliver a more inclusive and accessible public transport network.“The installation of step-free schemes at stations across our city region is key to our vision for the Bee Network as a fully joined-up public transport network, allowing people to make seamless journeys between trains, buses, trams and active travel.”

Currently, fewer than half of the city-region’s stations are accessible. Using money from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme, 63% of Greater Manchester’s stations will be step-free by March 2028.

This rolling programme of upgrades also forms part of Greater Manchester’s wider plans to bring eight commuter rail lines into the Bee Network by 2028, building a more inclusive and accessible public transport network and delivering major improvements to stations, services and passenger experience.

Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor said: “As part of our commitment to creating a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all, investment in accessible, quality public transport is a key element to achieving our vision for the city. Along with local councillors, we have been actively campaigning to get this project completed for local people.

“Step-free access at stations like Irlam are vital to making travel inclusive for all passengers across the wider public transport system. Accessibility benefits everyone and step-free stations make it easier for people to visit family and friends or to work.

“The two new lifts installed will achieve this and help meet the needs of passengers at Irlam station, ensuring that people can travel more easily and confidently. "These improvements are a big step in the right direction and something we have worked closely with partners in the city to make possible. So, I’m really pleased to see this planned work for essential services now completed and the positive impact they will have for rail users.”

To maintain full service throughout the works - and enable six-car trains to stop at the station - the Liverpool end of Platform 1 was extended by eight metres by TfGM, with a contribution from TPE.

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “Accessibility is a key priority for the government and I am delighted to see that thanks in part to over £3.8 million from our Access for All programme, Irlam Station will be step free for the first time ever.

“This follows a further £2.75 million to improve accessibility at Daisy Hill Station, underlining our commitment both to transport in the North and ensuring everyone can travel on our railways easily, confidently and with dignity.”

As part of the works Story Contracting made a significant social value contribution to the Irlam and Cadishead communities. Activities included two visits to St Teresa’s RC Primary School and volunteering with the 1st Cadishead Scout Group.

Story also created and donated a bespoke sensory story – a train-based activity with props to engage the five senses – to Springwood Primary School, a SEND school near to the station.

Donations of more than £2,000 were made to support Greater Manchester mental health charity 42nd Street and community initiatives such as the refurbishment of the 1st Cadishead Scout Group building. Some 32 volunteer hours we dedicated to local projects, including the upkeep of the Friends of Glazebrook Station’s community garden.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the station’s Heritage Hub opening, which has seen the Station House impressively restored by local charity Hamilton Davies Trust (HDT) who also campaigned for step-free access for local residents.

Julie Thompson, spokesperson for the Hamilton Davies Trust, said: “We are so pleased to see this improvement to the facilities at Irlam station. We are keen to improve the experience for commuters and the local community, and hope that even more people will be able to visit and enjoy the Heritage Hub and the hospitality at the station cafe."