THREE local firms are working to transform the new Accrington railway building in to Northern Rail’s first ‘eco station.’.

The £2.5million project, which will be finished before the end of the year, will create a whole new station building on the east side of the tracks.

The site, off Blackburn Road and Eagle Street, will be fitted with wind turbines and solar panels, while rainwater will be used for the sinks and toilets.

Thirty photovoltaic solar panels that will reduce carbon emissions by over two tonnes a year are being supplied and fitted by local businesses.

Burnley-based installers, the Low Carbon Energy Company, have completed work around the station car park and will start work fitting panels to the station roof next month.

The panels are being supplied by Solfex, Walton–le-Dale, and the frames are manufactured in Burnley by AIM Engineering.

The PV panel system will provide over 4,000 kilowatt hours of electricity.

The station is being built as part of the SusStations Project and will be the first of its kind on the Northern Rail network.