News
FRECCLES June 2026 Newsletter
Here is the latest FRECCLES Newsletter June 2026 edited by Stephen Clapham.
Caked in History
A circular walking tour to mark Community Rail Week from Eccles and Patricroft taking in Monton and Worsley, linking the heritage of the Liverpool and Manchester railway and the Bridgewater Canal
10 people, with our Blue Badge guide, Elizabeth Charnley, leading, completed the Caked in History Walk on the afternoon of 7th June. Starting with a train from Eccles to Patricroft we reviewed Patricroft Station History, before taking a look at one of Nasmyth's steam hammers, outside the site of its original production. We then walked to the site where the oldest intercity railway line crosses the oldest commercial canal and proceeded along the Bridgwater canal to Worsley, the site where coal was originally loaded onto canal barges to be taken into Manchester. We walked to the site of the old Worsley station before continuing on to Monton and Eccles.
Moves on improving accessibility at Eccles Station
As all its rail passengers know, Eccles Station is not at all accessible for people with disabilities, buggies or wheeled luggage. There are 35 steps down to each platform. Now at last there is some sort of movement happening behind the scenes which could result eventually in the installation of lifts.
In March 2026 Greater Manchester's Bee Network Committee agreed to review the criteria used to prioritise station accessibility schemes, and to apply refreshed criteria to establish a revised programme. Until now Eccles Station has had very low priority in this programme. We will provide updated information about their review when it is made available.
As part of this work, TfGM will be taking forward the following actions:
- Review and update the assessment criteria for station accessibility schemes, to ensure that they reflect current and emerging growth, regeneration and demand, and that appropriate weight is given to inclusive access at key transport hubs such as Eccles.
- Re-baseline and reprioritise the Access for All programme using the refreshed criteria, working with local authorities to ensure that up-to-date regeneration and housing plans are fully captured. A revised prioritised programme will then be brought back to the Bee Network Committee for consideration.
- Explore opportunities to accelerate delivery where possible, including consideration of potential funding routes that could support earlier delivery of accessibility improvements at Eccles Rail Station.
This action by the Bee Network Committee has been taken as a result of pressure from FRECCLES, local Councillors and Michael Wheeler MP for Worsley and Eccles.
TRAIN DREAMING
Here's a picture of Tuesday's performance. More photos and information on Salford Now.
Get in! To Eccles
We’re a part of Get In! To Eccles
We’re excited to announce that FRECCLES is taking part in this new festival for Eccles, happening 28-29 March across Eccles town centre.
Expect live music, artisan markets, interactive art, performance, games, installations, + much more.
December 2025: More than 250,000 passengers use Eccles Station annually
Eccles Station recorded its highest ever annual passenger usage estimates figure, 257,328 in the period April 2024 to March 2025. This is an 8% increase over last year, which is in line with a 11% increase for all Greater Manchester stations combined. Source: Office of Rail and Road, 4 December 2025
FRECCLES says this is powerful evidence of the need for more frequent trains at Eccles.
Liverpool to Manchester Community Rail Partnership
November 2025. The Liverpool to Manchester Community Rail Partnership (CRP) has officially become a member of the Community Rail Network.
The CRP covers both the Chat Moss Line (including Eccles) and the Cheshire Lines (CLC) routes. For further information, see the interim CRP web page
FRECCLES looks forward to working with the Liverpool to Manchester Community Rail Partnership to further bring people together through the power of rail.
Simpler Rail Fares in Greater Manchester
From Sunday 7th December, rail fares across Greater Manchester will be simplified to make train travel easier. For rail journeys completely within Greater Manchester, passengers buying tickets on the day will have two options - either an Anytime , or an Off-peak ticket (single or return). Single tickets will be half the cost of a return. Advance tickets bought before the day of travel, and Season tickets, remain available. Rail discounts are unchanged.
It is expected that 52% of journeys will be cheaper, and average fares will fall by 5.6%. The vast majority of fare increases will be 20p or less.
Fares and tickets to or from stations outside the Greater Manchester Rail Network are unaffected.
For more details see the TfGM press release.
Revised proposal for a Rochdale - Eccles - London train service by 2028
May 2024: FirstGroup plc, trading as Lumo, have submitted an application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to run a new open access rail service between Rochdale and London Euston, calling at Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows and Warrington Bank Quay.
July 2025: This application has been rejected by the ORR on the grounds that there is insufficient capacity for this additional service on the West Coast Main Line between London and Leighton Buzzard.
28 October 2025: FirstGroup plc have submitted a revised application for this route. They now propose to run 4 return journeys on weekdays and Saturdays, and 3 on Sundays, starting in December 2028. The ORR will make a decision on this latest application in due course.
Sunday service reduced to 2-hourly
Northern have published a revised Sunday timetable, leaving Eccles with only a 2-hourly service in each direction. See our timetable page for details.
July 2024: Big plans for Eccles rail services
GM Mayor Andy Burnham announced that the Wigan - Golborne - Eccles - Victoria rail service would be one of eight lines to come under local TfGM control by 2028. For detailed information see the TfGM press release and the Draft Greater Manchester Rapid Transit Strategy.
Plans include:- Service improvements, with a minimum of two trains an hour at all stations where possible
- New, environmentally friendly trains, with improved on-board facilities and better accessibility
- More fully accessible stations across Greater Manchester
- Integrated fares, clear Bee Network branding across trains and stations and better customer information
- Modern new train stations at Golborne and Cheadle
Could this be the start at last of a frequent train service and of an accessible station for Eccles ?
New Artwork at Eccles Station
FRECCLES has installed series of posters of old tickets on the new fence on platform 1 at Eccles Station. Please come along and have a look at them. They have been generously funded by Northern and TfGM.
