Stunning images of new Greater Manchester stations revealed

More images of Greater Manchester’s newest trains stations between Stalybridge tunnel and Diggle have been revealed.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) changes would see both Mossley and Greenfield stations upgraded, with Mossley also getting relocated 300m from its current site. Each station will see accessibility improvements for the first time in their history. 

Both Mossley and Greenfield stations will see platform extensions, giving the space for longer services to use the station, which would allow more seats for customers.

Images have been released of how overhead line equipment (OLE) will be sensitively installed on the historic Uppermill Viaduct, also known as Saddleworth Viaduct. The locations of the OLE masts have been considerately designed to avoid the most visible areas of the viaduct where possible, transport bosses say.

Oldham Road Bridge will be reconstructed by TRU, to facilitate the installation of OLE and to allow larger freight trains to pass through. New images show a footbridge is to be constructed from Oldham Road to Shaw Hall Bank Road adjacent to the existing Oldham Road Bridge. This will separate pedestrians from traffic and improve safety. 

The public consultation on this area of the route is now open and will close on October 25, 2024. A virtual consultation room and feedback form is available at www.networkrail.co.uk/stalybridgetodiggle.  

Alongside the online public consultation, there will be three in-person drop-in events for locals to view the plans and speak with TRU staff: 

• September 18, 3pm-8pm: St Peters RC Church, 119 Brierley Street, Stalybridge
• September 19, 3pm-8pm: Saddleworth Rangers RLFC, Shaw Hall Bank Road, Greenfield
• September 20, 3pm-8pm: Mossley Methodist Church, Chapel Street,
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• MossleyMark Ashton, TRU Sponsor said: “The Transpennine Route Upgrade wants to take the public with us on this transformational journey for rail in the North of England. Our proposals from Stalybridge to Diggle will bring substantial benefits to rail passengers and businesses in this area.
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• Mark Ashton, TRU Sponsor said: “The Transpennine Route Upgrade wants to take the public with us on this transformational journey for rail in the North of England. Our proposals from Stalybridge to Diggle will bring substantial benefits to rail passengers and businesses in this area.
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“It is vital that we hear the opinions of the public through our consultation, in order to develop our plans and designs, as we move towards delivering the scheme in the coming years.” 

TRU is a major, multi-billion-pound rail industry partnership that will transform journeys across the North, better-connecting towns and cities through more frequent, faster, greener trains between Manchester, Leeds and York, running on a better, cleaner and more reliable railway. 

Following the consultation process, TRU will consider all the feedback received from the local community and other stakeholders. A Transport and Works Act Order application will then be submitted to the Secretary of State in Summer 2025. 

Craig Harrop, Regional Director for Northern, said: “Our stations at Mossley and Greenfield will be transformed by the Transpennine Route Upgrade over the coming years, becoming fully accessible for the first time in their histories amongst a whole range of other customer-focussed improvements.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our communities to share their views on what they want to see at these stations, and I’m really excited to hear their ideas as we move forwards into the next phase of design work.”