BOLTON'S main railway station is set to benefit from a £1m refurbishment.

Following a year of strikes, poor services and delayed engineering work, Network Rail, Northern and TransPennine Express have jointly contributed to improvements which began at the Trinity Street station on Monday.

The project includes work on the Victorian building located on platforms four and five to make it available for retail and community use.

The building survived in the 1980s when much of the original station complex was demolished, but is now only partially utilized.

New seating will also be fitted as part of the work and the station toilets and waiting rooms will be revamped.

The work is not expected to cause any disruption for passengers travelling in and out of Bolton Station.

Cllr David Chadwick, portfolio holder for transport at Bolton Council, said the upgrade would compliment the authority's work to regenerate the town centre and Transport for Greater Manchester's £48m regional transport upgrade.

“Investment in Bolton is at a well-deserved high and Network Rail’s contribution will hopefully enhance the customer experience at the station," he said. "Many of the existing platform facilities are in need of urgent upgrade. This is great news for the town.”

The station upgrades are being completed in partnership with the Bolton Station Community Development Partnership.

Professor Paul Salveson, chair of the partnership, said: "This is great news. The work will completely transform this historic station, laying the basis for some really exciting and creative community and arts-based projects at the station which will give it a new vibrancy, making it an attractive and welcoming place for passengers."

The upgrade will also include the addition of pigeon netting throughout the station and new signage to replace the existing signs.

It is expected to be completed by Spring of this year.