The Greater Manchester train station in a 'shocking state', according to councillor
23.12.2023 - 11:43
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Stockport railway station is in a "shocking state" and needs urgent attention to bring it up to standards, a councillor in the borough has claimed.
Councillor Matt Wynne, leader of the Edgeley Community Association, said Avanti West Coast - the company which manages the station - has allowed it to fall into disrepair with numerous issues blighting the site including broken doors and lifts, and damage to the walls.
He claims the issues have been ongoing for months at the station, which is surrounded by new buildings built as part of the council's plan to redevelop brownfield sites in the town centre.
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Coun Wynne told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "The railway station underpass has been in a state of increasing disrepair for a good number of years now. As you can see, it's still covered in Virgin's red corporate colours so it's not had a look in for half a decade.
"They are saying that it's due to water ingress and a package of funding is required which has more questions than answers. It's taken two years for them to accept it is in a shocking state. We are talking about keeping water from frazzling the ticket machines at the Edgeley side which happens regularly.
"It's all well and good lining up the shiny business case for a masterplan for the station but we need to get the station fit for this decade. It's the entrance to our Borough and it is a disgrace."
Among the issues are the station's lifts, which the National Rail website currently states are "out of order between Platform 1&2 and The Subway".
Stockport station is on the west coast mainline route which connects the town to Manchester