Manchester Victoria railway station has opened after a £44m revamp carried out by UK Network Rail.
The station, labelled the worst in the country in a 2009 Department for Transport report, has gained a new roof provides passengers and station users with a light and spacious environment.
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Upgrades to the roof required an investment of £20m. Additional work included development of a tram stop with four new platforms and three new tracks, which opened in February.
Transport for Greater Manchester co-ordinated with Network Rail on incorporating the expanded Metrolink tram network at the redeveloped railway station.
Manchester City Council leader and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) lead on strategic rail Sir Richard Leese said: "With tram and train services all together under one impressive new roof, the transformed Manchester Victoria station is an example of how we’re beginning to make a difference as we work towards becoming a city with world-class transport infrastructure."
Construction work was carried out while the railway station was operational. The project comes under a £1bn+ investment programme aimed to increase capacity, connectivity, speed and service frequency of the UK’s rail network in the north.
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By GlobalDataNetwork Rail chief executive Mark Carne said: "For far too long people travelling in and out of Manchester Victoria had to make do with a tired and dark station.
"The contrast today is remarkable. Manchester Victoria station is modern, clean and flooded with natural light; a station this great city so badly needs."
Manchester Victoria also has new shops and cafes.
Image: Manchester Victoria railway station platform. Photo: © Network Rail.
