Reddish North Station Set for Major Accessibility Upgrade

Residents in Reddish are set to see long-awaited improvements at Reddish North Station, as the site secures a share of £34 million through the Access for All Programme. The funding will deliver transformational changes aimed at making the station fully accessible and easier to use for everyone in the community.

I was recently joined at the station by Reddish North Councillors Wise and Wilson, along with dedicated community campaigner Nathaniel Yates, to discuss the upcoming works - https://shorturl.at/zlJXh 

For years, accessibility at Reddish North has been a significant concern. The station plays a vital role in connecting residents to Manchester and beyond, but unfortunately, not all passengers have been able to use it safely and independently. In particular, Platform 2 has had no step-free access, creating serious challenges for wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs, older residents, and those with mobility issues.

The upcoming works will address this.

The centrepiece of the project will be the complete replacement of the existing footbridge. In its place, a modern, fully accessible bridge will be installed, along with two new lifts providing step-free access to both platforms. Once complete, passengers will be able to move between platforms without needing to navigate stairs.

Step-free access is a fundamental part of ensuring the rail network works for everyone - enabling independence and making public transport a realistic option for all.  I recently urged the Secretary of State for Transport to strengthen the Access for All scheme; progress towards a fully accessible rail network across Britain has been far too slow - https://shorturl.at/eSkbO 

The project goes beyond lifts and bridge works. As part of the wider upgrade, the station will benefit from enhanced lighting, improved CCTV coverage, and clearer wayfinding signage.

Together, these measures aim to create a station environment that is not only accessible, but also welcoming, safe, and fit for the future.

Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with completion expected by Spring 2027. The programme has been planned to allow the station to remain open throughout the works, minimising disruption to passengers.

There will, however, be some temporary impacts. In particular, sections of the station car park will be subject to restrictions during construction. Passengers will be kept informed well in advance of any changes, and efforts will be made to reduce inconvenience wherever possible.

This announcement recognises the persistence and determination of local campaigner Nathaniel Yates, whose sustained efforts helped bring this project to fruition. For years, Nathaniel has worked alongside residents, councillors, and rail authorities to highlight the barriers faced by passengers at Reddish North. His campaigning has been driven by a simple but powerful principle: that everyone deserves equal access to public transport.