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Thursday 12 Sep 2019

Mills Hill station transformation: warning of road closure this weekend

Region & Route:

North West & Central

People in Middleton in Greater Manchester are being warned of a road closure this weekend as work continues to make Mills Hill station accessible for everyone.

Oldham Road will be closed from the evening of Friday 13 September to 6am on Monday 16 September.

Traffic islands are being removed so construction can take place at the station to provide step-free access to platforms for the first time.

The multi-million-pound investment, as part of the Government’s ‘Access for All’ scheme, 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.

Simon Smith, sponsor for Network Rail, said: “Work is progressing well to make it easier for passengers to access Mills Hill station, providing step-free access to both platforms for the first time.

“We are working closely with the station operator, Northern, to ensure our work brings as little disruption as possible to neighbours and passengers. This weekend’s work on the road will be noisy and we thank residents for their patience while we make our major improvements for passengers.”

During the road closure bus services which would normally travel along Oldham Road are being diverted.

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

The major accessibility upgrade is due to be finished by the end of March 2020 and has been funded by the Department for Transport’s ‘Access for All’ programme.

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.