Work has started on a £120,000 scheme by Network Rail to renew several separate roof areas of Walkden station on the Manchester to Wigan railway line through Atherton.

The work is expected to take 12 weeks to complete and be finished in early November. Says Patrick Cawley, Network Rail’s territory buildings engineer, ‘The building is unusual in that it has several flat or pitched roofs over different parts of the station. This makes the work a bit more complicated, which is why it will take three months to complete.’

Gardens at the station are looked after by the Friends of Walkden Station (FOWS) and Network Rail is working with them to ensure no damage is caused to the plants during the work.

Says FOWS secretary Neil Stapleton, ‘FOWS are delighted this important repair work is underway as leaking rain water has been a problem for staff and passengers alike – particularly since the roof leading was stolen last year. We’re also grateful that Network Rail is carrying out the repairs in sympathy with the hammerbeam roof above the main booking hall which has significant historic and architectural merit.’

The station was opened on 1 July 1888 and the buildings that make up the station today are still the original structures. The island platform is built on an embankment, with steps leading up to it from the ticket office.

Article courtesy of RailStaff Newspaper.