by David Skentelbery
WORK will start in January on a £500,000 make-over for Warrington Central Station.
A new modern entrance, canopy and illuminated signs will transform the outside of the station building, which dates from around 1873 – only 44 years after Stephenson’s Rocket won the legendary Rainhill Trials which preceded the opening of the Liverpool-Manchester line.
Access for passengers will be improved with new steps and disabled access ramp and the ticket hall at the station will 
be completely revamped.
The existing retail unit will be expanded and decorative lighting under the railway bridge will make the area more welcoming for passengers and passers-by.
Network Rail route director Jo Kaye said: “Central is the latest in a number of stations in the North West that are benefiting as part of the DfT’s national stations improvement programme. The programme is intended to bring about a noticeable and lasting improvement and make the stations more attractive for the passengers using them.”
Station manager Jonny Wiseman added: “It is fantastic news that Warrington Central is benefitting from this investment. The completion of this project will make the station more accessible and easier to use and I look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring to passengers.”
Work is expected to take three months to complete, during which time the station will remain open.
About 900,000 passengers are believed to use the station every year.
It was only last year that lifts were installed at Central Station, making it fully accessible for the disabled for the first time.
The project will start almost a year after £1 million improvements were unveiled at Warrington Bank Quay Station, with a new, easier-to-use entrance with automatic doors leading to a bigger, brighter concourse with big new windows, a higher ceiling and extra room for customers waiting to buy tickets in a new booking office.
Pictured…artist’s impressions of the re-vamped station
