Work to refurbish and re-open the disused underpass at Rochdale railway station after 36 years of closure has won regional recognition from engineering experts.
The scheme won the Small Project category at the annual Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) North West Civil Engineering Awards.
The winning project was announced this week at a special ceremony at the Halston Hotel, Carlisle.
Judges were impressed with the combined innovation and tradition of the project, which was completed on 10 July last year.
The 40-metre section of previously disused underpass, accessed from Miall Street, now provides quick and easy access to both Rochdale railway station and the Metrolink stop for travellers using the park and ride car park on Hare Street.
The underpass was closed in 1979 and had fallen into disrepair, but has now been furnished with new signs, railings, LED lighting, CCTV, York stone flooring and a new drainage system.
Many of the heritage features from the original subway have been kept and restored, such as the ironwork, bridge decks, heritage railings and the brown, cream and light blue tiling inside the tunnel.
Historic photographs of how the station used to look are featured on the walls and railings. This includes an image from the royal visit of King George V and Queen Mary back in 1913.
Re-opening the underpass also complements Rochdale Borough Council’s masterplan for the station gateway area, to enhance accessibility to the station for rail users with wider physical improvements, including better lighting.
It also complements the Northern Hub proposals, an investment by Network Rail in lines across the north of England. The Northern Hub Rochdale scheme will create an extra platform at the station enabling additional services for commuters between Manchester and Rochdale.
Transport for Greater Manchester Committee Chair, Councillor Andrew Fender, said: “The underpass project not only enhances the overall experience for passengers but makes travel easier for them and I am delighted that this has been recognised by regional experts.
“The scheme retains the heritage of the original station whilst providing a safe passageway that cuts the walking distance between the car park, train platforms and Metrolink stop by around 200 metres.
“This enables public transport users to get around more quickly and in a much safer, more pleasant and secure environment.”
The project was be funded by Transport for Greater Manchester, Rochdale Borough Council and Network Rail.