Friends of Daisy Hill Station
About the Group
Our aim is to enhance the appearance, improve the environment, develop facilities at the station, so helping to deliver a better travelling experience for local commuters. Networking with other Friends of Stations groups we hope to work to develop our railway stations to make them more pleasant and community-focused.
Work began in November 2013 with fortnightly initially with Saturday volunteering sessions - these now take place once a month on a Sunday afternoon. A social meet-up at the John Holt Centre (BL5 2NR) was started initially on a Tuesday mornings, organisers and volunteers now meet there monthly on a Thursday evening incorporating the Westhoughton Gardening and Allotment Group (WAGS) established in 2022.
In February 2018 the group was awarded a Westhoughton Environmental Award by the Town Council for their hard work and dedication both keeping the station tidy and in adding environmental touches such as planters, benches and bird boxes. Write-up (Bolton News).
Below is the Friends of Daisy Hill Station work and meeting schedule dates and times. Everyone is welcome to participate in volunteering any time available in helping to transform one of our local railway stations. Awaiting confirmation of 2024 schedule.
Meeting Days - Third Thursday
Thursdays 7pm to 9pm John Holt Centre 18th January 15th February 21st March 18th April 16th May 20th June 18th July 15th August 19th September 17th October 21st November 19th December These are Westhoughton Gardening & Allotment Society (WGAS) meetings |
Volunteering Days - Last Sunday of Month
Sundays 1pm to 3pm* Daisy Hill Station 28th January 25th February 31st March 28th April 26th May 30th June 28th July 25th August 29th September 27th October 24th November 15th December *Come for as long as you can, when you can |
About Daisy Hill Station
The station is located 14 miles (23km) west of Manchester Victoria and operated by Northern Rail. Onward trains to Kirkby and Southport via Wigan Wallgate. Annual rail passenger usage was 106,257 in 2005/05, rising to 241,480 in 2010/11. 2013 marks the station's 125th year.
The station has seen many changes over the years; in years gone by there were additional rails either side for express trains. There was once in the past a cast iron roof, similar to that seen at Atherton Station, covering a good portion of the platform.
In 2008, in light of increased station use, a new car park was created by the Council with 77 places to the left of the station (formerly a 5-a-side pitch), adding needed capacity to the existing car park across the road from the station. Electronic displays were also added to the platforms improving passenger information.
As part of railway investment by Network Rail, Daisy Hill Station had its usable platform extended in 2019 to accommodate longer trains. Funding has been allocated for a lift at the station. It is expected that further amenity improvements will be part of the investment package.
Accessibility Improvements 2024
Good News! In October confirmation was received that as part of the Department for Transport's (DfT) 'Access For All Programme' the contract for the detailed design and build phase had been formalised for work at Daisy Hill station. A Planning Application (17308/23) has been submitted to Bolton Council and approved. The £4m works programme will see a new passenger lift built on the side of the building accessed from the entrance hall and the Wigan platform thus allowing stair-free access to the platforms; in addition, there will be a new disabled toilet, platform enhancements, as well as improvements to the station's accessible car parking facilities.
The programme to improve station accessibility and ease of use for passengers, which began way back in 2006, has been extended in the years since. There are over 2,500 railway stations in the UK. Daisy Hill was confirmed as a project in the 2019 budget round.
The project will be overseen by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) [Bee Network] and Network Rail and the work undertaken by Story Contracting. To start from March 2024 and scheduled to be completed by December 2024. The Ticket Office will be closed whilst being refurbished - purchase tickets online >>> Northern.
A drop-in information session took place at the John Holt Community Centre, Wednesday 21st February 2024 - Contractor Handout - Access For All (PDF download).
Project Timescale 2024
- Site Set-up: March 2024
- Enabling works: April
- Ticket Office Refurb: May - July
- Lift Works: May - Oct
- Car Park Works: Oct - Nov
- Scheme Completion: December 2024
Getting in Touch
Main contact: Jack Speight (Chair).
For further information call 07977 262022 or email: Friends of Daisy Hill Station.
Page last updated: 22/2/24.