Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced that work to make Hindley station accessible for everyone is set to get under way in February.
The £6.5m upgrade will see TfGM install two passenger lifts, providing step-free access to and from the platforms for the first time.
A new footbridge is also being built from the booking hall at street level, providing direct access to platforms 1 and 2.
TfGM, Network Rail and Northern Trains will also upgrade the station’s lighting and CCTV at the lifts and assistance areas, providing a better and safer experience for passengers.
The works have been planned to keep the station open throughout, with no impact on train services.
As well as accessibility improvements at Hindley station, a proposed new Travel Hub will help provide improved park and ride facilities with more than 40 additional parking spaces.
This includes electric vehicle (EV) charging points and blue badge spaces, a new bus layby, and a pick-up/drop off area.
Improved pedestrian access between the Travel Hub and Hindley rail station will be provided underneath Ladies Lane bridge as part of the plans, alongside new help points, lighting and CCTV, TfGM stated.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Everyone should be able to use public transport easily, and the number of inaccessible train stations across Greater Manchester is an historic legacy that we are working hard to correct.
“Over a three-year period, we will deliver upgrades at ten stations – twice as many as in the past decade – so that two-thirds are step-free by spring 2028.
“It’s great to start the new year with confirmation that work will get underway at Hindley in just a few weeks’ time, enabling more people to use the rail network and unlock the city-region’s growing potential.”
