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Friday 10 Feb 2017

Locals track improvements to Heaton Chapel station

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Local campaigners were today (Friday 10 February) given the opportunity to track the half-a-million pounds worth of improvements to a railway station in Greater Manchester.

Members of the Friends of Heaton Chapel along with Alex Ganotis, the leader of Stockport Council and Ann Coffey MP, Member of Parliament for Stockport were given a behind the scenes tour by Network Rail’s orange army who showcased the improvement work underway at Heaton Chapel Station to make it safer and more welcoming for passengers.

The £300,0000 refurbishment programme that forms part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan, involves the removal and replacement of the roof, due to the original falling into major disrepair and the installation of a modern lighting system along the internal staircase areas to improve safety for passengers.

New window frames will be also be fitted, the inside of the building will be given a new coat of paint, the shelters will be cleaned and new art work will be put up on one of the walls to improve the appearance of this key local transport hub. 

Ann Coffey, MP for Stockport said: “I was very pleased to see how the work is progressing as part of this investment in Heaton Chapel station.  It’s a very popular and well-used station which my constituents rely on, and I look forward to completion of the refurbishment work.”

Alex Ganotis, Leader of Stockport Council said: "It was great to get a tour of the work being carried out as well as being briefed on the plans ahead.  As a daily user of Heaton Chapel Station myself, I'm well aware of the inconvenience passengers have faced in recent months from restrictions on access to the platforms as a result of roof damage. However, I'm very impressed with Network Rail's programme of work to repair and improve the station.  I'm delighted that this complex project is now under way, and I look forward to its completion."

Rob Ellams, asset engineer for buildings at Network Rail said: “Our £300,000 refurbishment work at Heaton Chapel station forms a key part of our Railway Upgrade Plan -a nationwide programme of rail improvements that will help deliver better travelling experiences for passengers.

“It is no secret that this work has taken time to carefully plan, but we were keen to ensure that the programme demonstrated value for money and could be delivered safely without causing major disruption to passenger services.” 

The work to refurbish Heaton Chapel station started on the 18 January and will be complete by the 10 March 2017. No passenger services will be affected during this time.