North Western station – which serves cross country and London Euston/Glasgow passengers – is one of 10 stations set to share in a £50m windfall.

Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis launched the new fund after welcoming the independent Station Champions' report on the state of facilities for passengers nationwide.

Virgin Trains, which operates Wigan North Western, says that since assuming control it has refurbished the ticket office, toilets, customer services office and renewed and enhanced CCTV coverage along with customer information systems.

Improvements to come include:
UPGRADES to seating, subways and customer information;
PLATFORM resurfacing and the enclosure of waiting areas on platforms;
FURTHER ticket office upgrades and platform canopy extensions;
TOILET facility upgrades and new retail provision.

Chief executive officer of Virgin Trains Tony Collins said: "Our train service is second to none and the growth we are seeing reflects the popularity of train travel.

"But stations are a different story and they need to be the priority over the coming years.

"We would relish the chance to make significant changes within our franchise agreement that would bring station standards into line with our trains."

Transport Minister Lord Adonis said he supports the Champions' call for a comprehensive list of minimum standards and their calls to improve the daily travelling experience of passengers and attracting more people onto trains.

The investment will be supplemented by commercial and third party contributions and commitments by train operating companies. It follows a comprehensive review of the rail network, which exposed the variation in passenger facilities at stations, including Wigan North Western.

He said: "Train travel has improved a good deal in recent years, but more needs to be done to improve conditions and services.

"The Station Champions' report focuses on achieving a consistent level of facilities at each station, so passengers know what to expect, along with a greater emphasis on end-to-end journeys, with more attention given to help passengers get to and from the station."

The investment has been welcomed by Makerfield MP Ian McCartney, who believes it could kickstart economic regeneration.
He said: "It is essential rail stations are modernised to keep in step with train improvements."

What do you think about the facilities at Wigan North Western? Comment at wigantoday.net or email newsroom@lancspublications.co.uk