Network Rail has completed work on two railway stations on the Manchester, Atherton and Wigan line.

Passengers will be able to see the work completed at Walkden and Swinton railway stations on the Victorian platform canopies.

The restoration work completed by Network Rail is part of a £750,000 Great North Rail Project investment.

Built over 130 years ago, the renovations to the platform canopies included repairs and repainting of the ornate columns. Netting has been installed to stop birds from roosting in the canopy.

Clive Euston, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “We take great care to look after our heritage buildings and work at Walkden and Swinton stations shows how we’re building back better as the country emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.

“This Great North Rail Project investment of £750,000 we hope will make a huge difference for Northern passengers on the Manchester to Wigan line, creating a cleaner and brighter environment and improving their journeys for years to come.”

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “Our aim is to make a positive impact for the North and, working with colleagues at Network Rail, the improvements to the canopies absolutely achieve that for our customers in Walkden and Swinton.

“We have a proud rail heritage and it’s fantastic that the Great North Rail Project is not only improving infrastructure to provide better journeys, but is also preserving the vitally important history of rail in the north of England.”

Simon Elliott, TfGM’s head of rail programme, said: “Our local railways are steeped in history and projects like this are really important as not only do they help to preserve its original features, it also makes for a much more pleasant experience for those using and passing through the stations.”

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