A new park-and-ride facility at Walkden railway station is almost complete and set to open next month. Salford city mayor Paul Dennett, local councillors and representatives from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) paid a visit to see the progress before it officially opens to the public.
The facility, to be managed and operated by Salford city council, provides more than 107 car parking spaces and includes electric vehicle charging points, motorcycle bays and cycle storage for up to 32 bikes. The cycle hub will also be managed and operated by the council and will provide secure storage for registered members, with access via a smart app.
People can register for access to the hub online at www.salford.gov.uk/Walkden-cycle-hub. The car park will also be covered by CCTV and street lighting. Structural repairs and restoration of the Victorian platform canopies were completed in June 2021.
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Mr Dennett said: “What was once an environmental services depot is now a park and ride facility which will improve the attractiveness of rail services for Walkden residents and help to reduce road congestion. It is fantastic news for local people as we provide a sustainable, inclusive transport system. And best of all it will be free to use for all rail users, including those in cars, on motorbikes, push bikes and electric vehicles.
“I’d like to thank TfGM, the Friends of Walkden Station and their partners for their work to make this happen.” Construction is continuing to provide a £3.8million walking and cycling project that will provide a 6.2km connection for communities between Walkden Station and RHS Bridgewater.
The project is now almost fully complete, with all sections now open for public use, and only minor remaining works still required, said Mr Dennett. He continued: “After significant lobbying and close working with our partners, funding has been secured from the Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) Access for All programme to provide step free access at Walkden Station. Network Rail is leading the project with our continued support. We want to see step free access at all our stations in the city.”
TfGM’s interim chief operating officer, Alex Cropper, said: “Improving access to public transport is a key part of the Bee Network vision, making it easier for people to travel sustainably by bus, train or tram for some or all of their journey. With more than 100 parking spaces as well as space for bikes and motorbikes, this new facility adds to the hundreds of extra spaces recently put in across the Metrolink network. Walkden is a popular station at the heart of the local community, and I hope as many people as possible take advantage of these new facilities.”
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