Salford Central railway station

Salford Central railway station is a railway station in Salford, Greater Manchester in the North West of England just over the River Irwell from Manchester city centre. It is very close to Manchester's Spinningfields district and the area behind the House of Fraser (Kendal's) department store, Deansgate. It is served by trains to and from Manchester Victoria, towards Rochdale, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Wigan Wallgate and beyond. The station is managed by Northern Rail and has recently been modernised.

History

The station was opened on 29 May 1838 as a terminus on the Manchester and Bolton Railway, and was originally named Salford.^[1] In 1843 a connection to Manchester Victoria was built, carried on iron columns. The roof suffered from corrosion caused by the sulphurous emissions of locomotives passing through the station and one was replaced after only four years.^[2] Between April 1858 and August 1865, the station was named Salford (New Bailey Street), after which it reverted to its original name of Salford.^[1]

To avoid confusion with the recently built Salford Crescent (built to replace nearby Pendleton railway station), on 3 October 1988 the station was renamed Salford Central.^[1] although it is not (as a matter of fact) central to Salford. For many years the station was served at peak times only.^[3]

With only platforms 1 & 2 in current use, the station is now managed by Northern Rail and has recently undergone a major transformation. This has involved the construction of a new ticket office as well as making the station building fully accessible by the use of ramps from the entrances to the ticket office and lifts and ramps from the ticket office to the platforms.^[4]

The station is closed on Sundays.

Location

Manchester city centre is easily accessible either on foot or by a short ride on public transport, including the free Metroshuttle bus (No. 3) from New Bailey Street, directly outside the station. There is presently no taxi rank serving the station. Salford is also served by Salford Crescent railway station, well placed for the University of Salford and a relatively short walk from Salford Shopping City (Salford Precinct).

Future development

A Network Rail report suggests building platforms on the line to Liverpool (via Newton-le-Willows), the lines of which run through the station but are not provided with platforms. (platforms 3 & 4 unused)^[5]

References

Bibliography

External links

• Train times and station information for Salford Central railway station from National Rail