Media centre

Thursday 8 Feb 2024

Advance notice to passengers about Bolton station lift work

Region & Route:

North West & Central: North West

Passengers are being advised about work next month to replace the lifts at Bolton station.

Over £570k is being invested at the station to make step-free access more reliable for passengers.

The work is being carried out one lift at a time to keep the station as accessible as possible. Work to the lift for platforms four and five will start on Monday 4 March 2024. This work will be completed in summer 2024, at which point work on the lift to platforms one, two and three will begin. The entire project will be completed in the winter.

From Monday 4 March, passengers travelling from Bolton towards Preston, Blackpool and Cumbria will need to travel via Salford Crescent for step-free access. Passengers are advised to use the lift to platforms one and three, to travel to Salford Crescent and use the step-free access there to head northbound.

Passengers who need step-free access are recommended to allow extra time for their journeys and where possible, book assisted travel in advance with their train operator.

Extra staff will be at the station to help passengers safely use the stairs.

Kara Wood, head of performance, customer and stations, said: “We’re replacing the lifts at Bolton station to make step-free access more reliable for passengers.

“If you need step-free access during the work I advise you to check before you travel and allow extra time for your journey. I’m sorry for the inconvenience while this essential upgrade is carried out.”

Network Rail has consulted with local accessibility advocates as part of this work.

Stephen Brookes MBE, rail policy advisor at Disability Rights UK, said: “We continue to build on our cooperative relationship with Network Rail over the imminent replacement of Bolton station lifts. The inclusion of disabled people to give advice on all aspects of access to the station during the inevitable disruption is that we can test the alternatives and help get it right from the start, so we are pleased to welcome such opportunities.”

Craig Harrop, regional director at Northern, said: “We welcome this investment by Network Rail and the benefits these lift renewals at Bolton station will mean for our passengers. Whilst disruption will be carefully mitigated, customers requiring use of the lifts at Bolton station should allow more time to get around the station before and after their journeys.”