Media centre

Wednesday 10 Sep 2025

Salford Crescent's £21m station upgrade sees weekend railway closure

Region & Route:

North West & Central

Passengers travelling between Manchester and Bolton are being advised of changes to journeys this weekend during ongoing upgrades at Salford Crescent station.

Network Rail is investing £21m by building an additional third platform served by a new staircase and lift from the ticket office and footbridge.

While construction over recent months has been taking place without any disruption to journeys, on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September the station will need to close to passengers.

That's because new signalling systems serving the new platform will go through final testing and commissioning ready for trains when the project is complete.

With the addition of the new platform, more trains will be able to serve Salford Crescent and signallers will also have more options to ease congestion through the area and the busy Manchester rail network.

This weekend's essential work means no trains can run between Bolton and Manchester.

Some services between Manchester, Wigan, Preston, and beyond will be diverted on alternative routes, with other journeys involving rail replacement buses to keep passengers moving.

Those planning to travel by rail in the area this weekend should check www.nationalrail.co.uk in advance.

Francesca Cotgreave, Network Rail sponsor, said: “This weekend will see a big milestone in our £21m upgrades at Salford Crescent while signalling commissioning for the third platform takes place. As we can only do this when trains aren't running, it means changes to journeys between Manchester and Bolton. 

"We advise anyone planning to travel on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September to check National Rail Enquiries and thank people for their ongoing patience while we transform the station so more trains can serve it in the future."

Simon Elliott, TfGM network director for rail, said: "At Transport for Greater Manchester, we’re working hard to continue improving transport infrastructure across the city-region, transforming how people get around Greater Manchester. Working closely with partners such as Network Rail is key to delivering on our commitment to create a world-class public transport system.

"Building an extra platform at Salford Crescent is a key investment which ultimately will make services more reliable. It comes at a time when the £10m works to improve accessibility and the overall passenger experience at Salford Central - funded by TfGM - are due to complete over the coming weeks.

“Together these works will improve journeys for rail passengers travelling across our city-region.”

In recent weeks, a new lift shaft structure has been installed on the site of the under-construction platform to provide passengers with step-free access.

Alongside the lift, a staircase linking the footbridge with the new platform is set to be installed later this month.

To stay informed about the work, please visit www.networkrail.co.uk/salford.