Three quarters of a million-pound transformation of Tameside station now complete

WORK to transform a Tameside station ticket office to improve facilities for Northern passengers is now complete.

The scheme includes a new and improved waiting area, which has workspaces and seating.

A new fully accessible toilet has also been installed featuring baby changing, grab rails and an audio description for customers with visual impairments.

Passengers can gain access via either a radar key, a train ticket QR code or video access linked directly to Northern’s 24hr customer contact centre and there is user activated multiple distress cords and low-level panic buttons.

Hattersley Station currently serves around 70,000 passengers a year on the direct line from Manchester Piccadilly to Glossop.

The scheme was funded by a £750,000 grant given to Tameside Council from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, through the Manchester Growth and Reform Plan Transport Strategy and Investment Plan.

Northern’s new timetable came into effect just before this extended period of disruption, so it is advising customers to use the new ‘Check My Timetable’ feature on its website to see the changes specific to their local station. There was also a small contribution from Hattersley Land Board.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.

Friends of Hattersley Station are very happy with the work including new maintenance facilities, which will help them take care of the grounds; their popular Teddy Bears’ Picnic will be running again this summer.

Cllrs Jacqueline North, Tameside Council Deputy Executive Leader and Chair of the Hattersley Land Board, and Cllr Jan Jackson, Tameside Council Executive Member for Planning, Transport and Connectivity, said: “The works to the ticket office are an important part of the projects undertaken so far to improve Hattersley. Providing a modern and sustainable ticket office ensures we are supporting essential public transport networks across Tameside and its great news for residents. Adding this to the projects already transforming and bringing new homes helps to continue make Hattersley a great place to live and work.”

Chris Jackson, Northern regional director, added: “The significant improvements to Hattersley Station will help to enhance the overall experience for our customers – whether that’s buying a ticket, waiting for a train, or getting information about our services.”