RAIL bosses have celebrated the completion of a £1.6 million makeover at Bolton's railway station.

The major improvements at Trinity Street station stayed right on track, despite a battle against bad weather.

The work included the replacement of the roof above platforms 1to 4, the demolition of the canopy at the south end of platforms 4 and 5, platform resurfacing, replacing windows, lighting repairs and repairing cracked paving on platforms 3 and 4.

The cash spent in Bolton is part of a £1 billion regeneration programme by Railtrack.

Railtrack project development manager Helen Whittaker said: "We managed to overcome some serious weather related problems, which at one point stopped the paint from sticking to the ironwork!"

The 15-month programme just completed is phase one of the work.

Today train operator First North Western, the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) and Railtrack announced that more improvements are in the pipeline.

A First North Western spokesman said: "With direct train services to places as far away as Aberdeen, Brighton and Penzance, the people of Bolton deserve a station of which they can be justly proud."

GMPTA member and Bolton council deputy leader Cllr Guy Harkin said: "I am delighted that these improvements have been made.

"I am sure that passengers who travel by train will appreciate the work that has been done and hopefully the improvements will enhance the quality of their journeys."

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