There’s some excellent coverage on the internet of the roof repair works started at Walkden this week.
Firstly the works are the subject of a Network Rail press release, and the story is also covered in a personal blog by a Network Rail insider, a blog that is well worth a read.
Due to engineering works all trains from Walkden on Saturday 22nd August are replaced by buses.
Rail tickets are valid as normal but previous experience has shown that bus replacements are often slower, more crowded, and less reliable than trains – in fact they provide a salutary reminder of just why the train is such a superior way of traveling from Walkden !
For further details check the National Rail Journey Planner before travelling – and allow plenty of extra time for your journey.
Worsley MP Barbara Keeley has called on the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) to back the proposals for Sunday services from Walkden.
Barbara has been a keen supporter of FOWS since our inception and has raised a number of station specific issues, including Sunday services and disabled access, in parliamentary debates, with past and present Rail Ministers, and Northern Rail’s senior management.
Last month GMITA’s Rail and Metrolink Committee gave their very welcome support to a proposal for Northern Rail to run an hourly Sunday service between Wigan and Manchester. The proposal comes up for a decision over the subsidy that the Authority would be required to fund at the end of this month.
This evening Network Rail are starting extensive repair work on the station roof. This is a very welcome development as we have been worried about the water-damage being caused to the station for some time.
Roof cladding, sky-lights and flashing will be replaced along the full of the buildings from the street entrance right up the steps to the platform.
All the leaks in the booking hall and stairways will be fixed, and we have been assured the work will be sympathetic to the historic hammer-beam wooden structure.
On Saturday 22nd August Parr Fold Park plays host to Walkden Youth Music Festival, with local indie band Gaza Strip Club headlining the bill.
The festival is on from 3pm to 7pm and free to enter. It promises to be a great event with live music returning to the old bandstand !
Parr Fold Park is just a couple of minutes walk from Walkden station.
Sunflowers and daisies make a colourful scene on the Wigan platform at Walkden
The sunflowers donated by FOWS member and keen gardener Peter Hope are coming into flower and adding a striking dash of colour to the platforms at Walkden.
Unfortunately half of the 10 flowers Peter planted have been destroyed by vandals, but those that remain are adding a welcome splash of sunshine and colour to this wet summer.
