Work to rebuild railway ticket office overrunning after dramatic 2021 collapse

Works to rebuild part of Northwich railway station are overrunning after the ticket office collapsed in May 2021. Workers are still busy on scaffolding after Network Rail said exterior work would be completed in January 2024.

Structural work was due to be completed in August 2023, according to local MP Mike Amesbury. Network Rail has now said exterior work is due to be complete by the end of March 2024.

A date was not given as to when the ticket office and waiting room will be ready for use, with Network Rail saying it is currently working with Northern, which manages the day-to-day running of the station, to determine the most suitable design for the interior of the station.

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In January 2023, a spokesperson for the the Office of Road and Rail told CheshireLive an investigation into the collapse was ‘nearing completion’, but nothing has been published 13 months on. The incident on May 18 that saw the gable of the ticket office building crash through the canopy over one of the platforms, leaving the platform under a pile of masonry and other debris.

Thankfully, no one was injured. Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury said he is frustrated residents don’t have a fully functioning station. He said: “I’m disappointed on behalf of the travelling public.

“It was my understanding the structural work was originally due to be completed last August. We’re nearly three years on from the collapse and passengers are still without a ticket office and a waiting room in the middle of winter.”

A roof collapsed at Northwich Train Station

Over 18 months ago, Mr Amesbury, Shadow Minister for Building Safety and Homelessness, requested Government create step-free access to the far platform at the same time as workers and machinery were on site for the rebuild but said his plea ‘fell on deaf ears’.

He added: “An Access for All application was lodged with the Department for Transport in a bid to fund the adaptations, but we await a decision. It’s scandalous we must go with a begging bowl to make public transport available for disabled people and those with mobility issues.”

Litter at Northwich station

Mr Amesbury also complained about maintenance and cleanliness at the station, saying the proposed a volunteer ‘Friends of Northwich Station’ group is ‘much needed’. He said: “While the rebuild is underway, the maintenance of the station appears to have been neglected.

“There was pigeon muck on one of the benches, litter that someone should have put in the bin was still on the floor and the station clock was not working. I’m sure enthusiastic local volunteers will make a huge difference.”

A bench at Northwich station

Chris Pye, Network Rail’s North West route infrastructure director, said: “We thank passengers for their continued patience during the rebuilding work at Northwich station. We have encountered some issues with utilities which has meant some delays. The station remains open and accessible to passengers and we’re committed to completing the build as soon as possible.”

A DfT spokesperson said: “We have already funded step-free access at over 230 stations through our Access for All programme and, thanks to reallocated HS2 funding, we have committed a further £350 million to improve accessibility at up to 100 more. We are currently reviewing project applications and will provide further information in due course.”

The station clock is not working

The Office for Road and Rail and Northern Rail were both approached for comment.

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