View source for Bolton Interchange

{{Short description|Railway and bus station in Greater Manchester, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox station
| name               = Bolton
| symbol_location    = gb
| symbol             = rail
| image              = Bolton Interchange - geograph.org.uk - 1708964.jpg
| borough            = [[Bolton]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Bolton]]
| country            = England
| coordinates        = {{coord|53.573|-2.425|type:railwaystation_region:GB_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
| grid_name          = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|Grid reference]]
| grid_position      = {{gbmapscaled|SD719086|25|SD719086}}
| manager            = [[Northern Trains]]
| platforms          = 5
| train_operators    = [[Northern Trains]]<br/>[[TransPennine Express]]
| code               = BON
| classification     = [[United Kingdom railway station categories|DfT category]] C1
| opened             = 1838
| mpassengers        = {{Rail pass box |pass_year=2019/20 |passengers={{increase}} 3.262 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 0.425 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2020/21 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.866 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 91,085}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2021/22 |passengers={{increase}} 2.344 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 0.264 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2022/23 |passengers={{increase}} 2.499 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 0.423 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2023/24 |passengers={{increase}} 2.712 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 0.399 million}}
| footnotes          = Passenger statistics from the [[Office of Rail and Road]]
| mapframe           = yes
| mapframe-zoom      = 14
}}
[[File:Bolton (Trinity Street) Station, entrance - geograph.org.uk - 1845173.jpg|thumb|The former station buildings (demolished in the 1980s), seen from the Bradshawgate end of Trinity Street]]

'''Bolton Interchange''' is a [[transport interchange]] combining '''Bolton railway station''' and '''Bolton Bus Station'''
in the town of [[Bolton]] in [[Greater Manchester]], England.<ref name="Bus Int">{{Citation|title=Bolton Interchange – Where to Catch your Bus|url=http://www.tfgm.com/buses/Documents/Departures/Bolton-Interchange.pdf|publisher=gmpte.com|access-date=11 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713112103/http://www.tfgm.com/buses/Documents/Departures/Bolton-Interchange.pdf|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The station is located on the [[Manchester–Preston line|Manchester to Preston line]] and the [[Ribble Valley line]], and is managed by [[Northern Trains]]. The station is {{convert|11+1/4|mi|km}} north west of {{stn|Manchester Piccadilly}}. Ticket gates have been in operation at the station since 2016.

The railway station was originally named '''Bolton Trinity Street''' to differentiate it from nearby [[Bolton Great Moor Street railway station|Bolton Great Moor Street station]] which closed in 1954.<ref>{{Citation |title =Bolton Great Moor St|url=http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/b/bolton_great_moor_street/index.shtml| publisher= Subterranea Britannica |access-date=2010-04-02}}</ref> The station was also known as "Bridgeman Street Station" and "Bradford Square Station".<ref>{{Harvnb|Bardsley|1960|p=7.}}</ref>

From the railway station, there are frequent local and semifast services to [[Manchester Victoria station|Manchester Victoria]], {{rws|Manchester Oxford Road}}, [[Manchester Piccadilly station|Manchester Piccadilly]], [[Clitheroe railway station|Clitheroe]] via [[Blackburn railway station|Blackburn]], {{rws|Wigan Wallgate}}, {{rws|Blackpool North}} and {{rws|Barrow-in-Furness}} (4 trains per day terminate at {{rws|Windermere}}). Services operating to Victoria and Piccadilly operate through and terminate at other regional stations, such as [[Manchester Airport station|Manchester Airport]] and [[Stalybridge railway station|Stalybridge]]. Most TransPennine Express services between Manchester Airport and Glasgow/Edinburgh stop at Bolton, with services pick-up only towards Preston and set-down only towards Manchester.

The entrance and ticket office are at street level, at which there is a footbridge to the bus station and the taxi rank (Which is located outside the entrance). A walkway leads to the platforms which are in a cutting. Platform 1 and 3 has a buffet and a large waiting room and toilets. Platform 4 and 5 has a small waiting room with toilets. The original main station building was demolished in the 1980s, but the Victorian buildings survive on the platforms. The clock tower was dismantled and rebuilt next to the new station.

==History==
Trinity Street station opened when the [[Manchester and Bolton Railway]] completed its route to [[Salford Central railway station|Salford Central]] in 1838. The line extended to [[Manchester Victoria railway station|Manchester Victoria]] in 1843.<ref>{{Harvnb|Marshall|1981|p=12}}</ref> This line was extended to [[Preston railway station|Preston]] by the Bolton and Preston Railway in 1841. The route northwards, now the Ribble Valley Line, to [[Blackburn railway station|Blackburn]] followed four years later, whilst the [[Liverpool and Bury Railway]]'s arrival in 1848 gave the town links eastward to [[Bury Knowsley Street railway station|Bury]] and [[Rochdale railway station|Rochdale]], and westwards to [[Wigan Wallgate railway station|Wigan]] and [[Liverpool Exchange railway station|Liverpool]]. These lines had all become part of the [[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]] system by 1858.

The network of routes radiating from Bolton has remained largely unchanged to this day, the one exception being the line to Rochdale which closed on 5 October 1970.<ref>{{Harvnb|Marshall|1981|p=45}}</ref> Through trains to Liverpool ended in 1977 with the closure of [[Liverpool Exchange station]], but the line to Wigan remains open. Trains to [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] and beyond began running in May 1988 with the opening of the [[Windsor Link Line, Greater Manchester|Windsor Link]].
[[File:Bolton Trinity Street railway station 2118121 46569013.jpg|thumb|right|View northward from the main Down platform in 1965]]
Automatic ticket barriers have been operational at the station since 12 December 2016.<ref>[http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/14959074.Ticket_change_for_commuters_using_Bolton_train_station_from_Monday/?ref=rss "Ticket change for commuters using Bolton train station from Monday"] Thorpe, Liam ''The Bolton News'' article 10 December 2016</ref> Northern (Arriva Rail North Limited) had announced its intention to install them here (and at several other locations) earlier in the year.

==Platforms==
{{original research section|date=August 2024}}
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2024}}
The station currently has four platforms in regular use.

* Platform 1 is bi-directional and used for trains heading north to Blackburn and Clitheroe, and trains heading south to Manchester Victoria and {{rws|Rochdale}}. Platform 1 can also be used as a terminating platform for services from Manchester and Blackburn.
* Platform 2 sits at the far end of platform 1 and 3 and is a terminating platform from Manchester which is rarely used, with only one train per week timetabled to use this platform. It is sometimes used for when trains cannot go any further than Bolton, such engineering works or an obstruction on the line.
* Platform 3 is used for southbound trains heading to Manchester Victoria, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Airport, Stalybridge and Manchester Oxford Road. Platform 3 is bi-directional and can be used for northbound trains to Blackburn when platform 1 is full and for terminating trains from Manchester.
* Platform 4 is primarily used by northbound services via Preston, serving further destinations including Blackpool, Cumbria and Scotland. Some Wigan-bound services also use this platform instead of P5. Platform 4 is bi-directional and can be used by southbound trains to Manchester during disruption, and can be used by terminating trains from Blackpool and Wigan during disruption or engineering works.
* Platform 5 is primarily used by westbound services to Wigan Wallgate and Southport, however some Preston-bound services also use this platform instead of P4. Platform 5 is bi-directional and can be used by terminating trains from Manchester during engineering works or disruption.

In the early 1990s, Bolton's old Platform 5 was used for the [[Red Star Parcels]] service. This was separated from Platform 4 by a brick wall and the track had been concreted over to form a car park for passenger use.  Parking facilities here were closed permanently on 24 January 2017.<ref>[https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/alterations-to-car-parking-at-bolton-station-as-major-investment-work-continues "Alterations to car parking at Bolton station as major investment work continues"] ''Network Rail Media Centre'' article 10 January 2017; Retrieved 20 June 2017</ref>

The old platform 5 was rebuilt to increase capacity and opened on 6 September 2017. The work to install signals and overhead cables was completed in the autumn of 2018.

==Refurbishment==
{{Cleanup press release|section|date=March 2020}}
In 2005 and 2006, part of the station and its surrounding area underwent major refurbishment.
The walkway between the ticket office and platforms was modernised along with the station lifts and stairs. Bolton Interchange which serves as a direct connection between bus and rail to certain districts of Bolton was rebuilt, incorporating a [[taxi rank]]. The bridge connecting Newport Street with the rest of the town centre was also rebuilt, along with a large arch, which is clearly noticeable in the Bolton skyline.

In 2006 a proposal to refurbish the station toilets, waiting rooms, ticket office and platforms was rejected due to lack of funds.<ref name="Buffers">{{Citation |title= Station Revamp Hits the Buffers |url= http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/926290.2m_/ |work= Bolton News |date= 19 September 2006 |access-date= 2010-04-02}}</ref> In March 2010, GMPTE launched a consultation which proposed relocating Bolton bus station from Moor Lane to a new site adjacent to Bolton Interchange to improve connections between bus and train services.<ref name="Bolton Int">{{Citation|title=Public Consultation|url=http://www.gmpte.com/corporate/bolton_interchange.cfm?submenuheader=2|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110716214154/http://www.gmpte.com/corporate/bolton_interchange.cfm?submenuheader=2|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-16|publisher=gmpte.com|access-date=2010-04-02}}</ref><ref name="New Bus Stn">{{Citation|title=A New Bus Station for Bolton|url=http://www.gmpte.com/upload/library/Bolton_Interchange_leaflet.pdf|publisher=gmpte.com|access-date=2010-04-02}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Refurbishment work on the ticket office, platforms and cafe commenced on 15 November 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://manchestertransport.wordpress.com/2010/11/15/construction-begins-on-bolton-railway-station-upgrade/|title=Construction begins on Bolton railway station upgrade|date=15 November 2010|access-date=2011-05-01|publisher=manchestertransport.wordpress.com}}</ref>

The new interchange, built on land bounded by Newport Street and Great Moor Street, replaced the old Moor Lane bus station and provides vastly improved waiting areas, passenger facilities, information, safety and security. It directly connects bus and rail services via a Skylink pedestrian footbridge, improving transport links, as well as access to the town centre.

The new interchange will offer enhanced accessibility with a modern concourse and passenger facilities including a retail outlet, cycle hub, shop mobility, café and modern public toilets including adult and baby changing facilities. It will also make use of innovative sustainable energy initiatives, including rainwater recycling to flush the toilets, solar panels, air source heat pumps and low-energy LED lighting.

The new transport interchange was delivered by Kier Construction for TfGM in partnership with Bolton Council. The £48 million scheme was funded by the Greater Manchester Transport Fund and supports the Bolton Town Centre Transport Strategy and the wider town centre regeneration plans.<ref>{{cite web|title=The new Bolton Interchange|url=http://www.tfgm.com/journey_planning/Pages/Bolton-Interchange.aspx|website=GMPTE|access-date=11 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713111628/http://www.tfgm.com/journey_planning/Pages/Bolton-Interchange.aspx|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Network Rail refurbished the lifts for a second time in 2024 to improve the reliability of step-free access at the station, with work currently ongoing and expected to finish in the winter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bolton station lift renewal |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/north-west/bolton-station-lift-renewal/#:~:text=When%20is%20the%20work%20taking,be%20completed%20in%20the%20winter. |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=Network Rail |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Electrification==
From May 2015 until December 2015, to facilitate the electrification of the route from Manchester to Preston<ref>{{cite web|title=Manchester to Preston electrification|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/north-west-electrification/farnworth/|website=Network Rail|access-date=11 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220002824/https://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/north-west-electrification/farnworth/|archive-date=20 February 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> a reduced service pattern was in place as only one track through the Farnworth Tunnel could be used due to its re-boring to accommodate twin tracks. During this period, many [[First TransPennine Express|TransPennine Express]] services were re-routed via [[Wigan North Western railway station|Wigan North Western]] avoiding Bolton altogether. At the weekends train services between Manchester and Bolton were replaced by buses. In April 2016, in preparation for electrification, Orlando St. bridge was replaced, Soho St. bridge was demolished and track lowering took place in the Bullfield Tunnels area.

Another 15 day blockade took place between 12 and 27 August 2017 to permit further work at the station, including the reinstatement of platform 5 (as noted), erecting a new footbridge, installation of overhead wiring and signalling upgrades.<ref>[http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/15343714.REVEALED__Commuters_face_transport_nightmare_as_train_station_shuts_for_TWO_WEEKS/ "REVEALED: Commuters face transport nightmare as Bolton train station shuts for TWO WEEKS in August"] Holland, Daniel, ''Bolton News'' article 13 June 2017; Retrieved 20 June 2017</ref> Buses replaced trains on most routes, with through services diverted via Atherton or Wigan North Western.  The work was completed on schedule on 28 August, but the line towards Manchester remained closed following the work due to an embankment collapse and bridge damage at Moses Gate caused by a burst water main.  As a result, the only service running was that to and from Blackburn, with other trains diverted away and replacement bus services to Manchester, Wigan and Preston in place.<ref>[https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/emergency-repairs-to-bridge-means-road-and-rail-disruption-in-bolton Emergency repairs to bridge means road and rail disruption in Bolton] ''Network Rail Media Centre'' press release 25-08-17, Retrieved 29 August 2017</ref> The line reopened to traffic on 6 September 2017 upon completion of the repairs to the bridge supports and embankment and normal working resumed on all routes.

The electrification work at the station was due to be completed in time for the December 2017 timetable change, which would have seen a major revamp of the service pattern in operation.  The work however fell well behind schedule, with Network Rail admitting in January 2018 that the work would not even be completed in time for the next timetable change in May.  This was due to unexpected problems with poor ground conditions in several locations, which meant that some 200 masts for the overhead wires could not be installed as planned.<ref>[http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/15821799.First_electric_trains_through_Bolton_delayed_by_a_further_SEVEN_months/ First electric trains through Bolton delayed by a further SEVEN months] Holland, Daniel, ''Bolton News'' article 11 January 2018; Retrieved 10 April 2018</ref> In order to complete the remaining work by the end of the year (both piling for the masts and the actual wiring), further weekend blockades were imposed by Network Rail, which were expected to continue until November 2018 (along with a nine-day line closure in late August). The planned timetable revamp (including the return of Glasgow and Edinburgh trains and through services to south Manchester and Cheshire) have also had to be postponed until May 2019 as many of these improvements were dependent on the availability of electric rolling stock.
[[File:Bolton (Trinity Street) railway station, Greater Manchester (geograph 5975456).jpg|thumb|Platforms at Bolton Interchange in 2018, following electrification.]]
The first overnight electric test trains ran successfully in December 2018.<ref>[https://www.railengineer.uk/2018/12/14/pendolino-is-first-electric-train-through-bolton/ "Pendolino is first electric train through Bolton"] ''Rail Engineer'' news article, 14 December 2018, Retrieved 20 December 2018</ref> Electric service commenced on 11 February 2019 utilising Class 319 Electric Multiple Units.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17426252.first-electric-passenger-trains-finally-entering-service-in-bolton/| title=First electric passenger trains finally entering service in Bolton| last=McDonnell| first=S.| website=Bolton News| date=12 February 2019| access-date=18 February 2019}}</ref>

==Services==

===Rail===

As of summer 2023, the typical off-peak service is:

'''Northern Trains'''<ref>{{cite web |title = Northern Trains – Timetables |url = https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/timetables |publisher = Northern |access-date = 11 December 2022}}</ref>
*1tph to {{rws|Lancaster}}, with 11tpd continuing to {{rws|Barrow-in-Furness}} and 4tpd continuing to {{rws|Windermere}}
*2tph to {{rws|Blackpool North}}
*2tph to {{rws|Southport}}
*2tph to {{rws|Blackburn}}, with 1tph continuing to {{rws|Clitheroe}}
*1tph to {{rws|Stalybridge}}
*3tph to {{stn|Manchester Airport}}
*1tph to {{rws|Manchester Oxford Road}}
*2tph to {{rws|Rochdale}} via {{stn|Manchester Victoria}}

'''TransPennine Express'''
* TransPennine Express provide an irregular service from Bolton, with 7 trains per weekday in both directions to {{rws|Carlisle}}, extending to {{rws|Edinburgh Waverley}} or {{rws|Glasgow Central}}. These trains are pick-up only northbound and set-down only southbound, so passengers cannot use these trains for journeys between Bolton and Manchester.

There are no direct trains to {{rws|Southport}} on Sundays, as these trains run via {{rws|Atherton|}} instead (connections are available at {{rws|Hindley}}). All other routes receive an hourly service on Sundays, with services from {{rws|Clitheroe}} terminating at {{rws|Manchester Victoria}} and services from {{rws|Stalybridge}} terminating at {{rws|Wigan North Western}}.

===Bus===
Several bus companies provide a comprehensive route network of services around Bolton and the surrounding areas, with some subsidised on behalf of the [[Bee Network]]: [[Diamond North West]], [[Go North West]], [[Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire]] and [[Blackburn Bus Company]]. Some of the destinations served include Farnworth, Preston, Manchester, The Trafford Centre, Westhoughton, Bury, Blackburn and Leigh. Additionally, rail replacement buses are operated by Tyrers or Atlantic Travel.

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
*{{citation |last=Bardsley |first=James Rodney |title=The railways of Bolton, 1824-1959 |publisher=J.R.Bardsley | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2vBlGwAACAAJ |year=1960|asin=B0000CKNFN }}<!--ISBN N/A-->
*{{citation |last=Marshall |first=J. |title=Forgotten Railways North-West England |publisher=David & Charles, Newton Abbott |year=1981 |isbn=0-7153-8003-6}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bolton Interchange}}

{{stn art lrnk|BON|BL21BE}}

{{s-rail-start|noclear=yes}}
{{s-rail|title=National Rail}}
{{s-rail-national|toc=TransPennine Express|route=Anglo-Scottish Route|previous=Preston|next=Manchester Oxford Road|notemid=Not for passenger use to/from Manchester}}
{{s-rail-national|toc=Northern Trains|route={{rws|Barrow-in-Furness}}/{{rws|Windermere}} to {{rws|Manchester Airport}}|previous=Chorley|next=Deansgate}}
{{s-rail-national|toc=Northern Trains|route={{rws|Blackpool North}} to {{rws|Manchester Airport}}|previous=Lostock|next=Salford Crescent|rows2=3}}
{{s-rail-national|toc=Northern Trains|route=[[Ribble Valley line]]|previous=Hall i' th' Wood|hide2=yes}}
{{s-rail-national|toc=Northern Trains|route={{rws|Southport}} to {{rws|Manchester Oxford Road}}|previous=Westhoughton|hide2=yes|rows1=3|notemid=Monday to Saturday}}
{{s-rail-national|toc=Northern Trains|route={{rws|Southport}} to {{rws|Stalybridge}}|hide1=yes|next=Moses Gate|notemid=Monday to Saturday}}
{{s-rail-national|toc=Northern Trains|route={{rws|Wigan North Western}} to {{rws|Stalybridge}}|hide1=yes|next=Farnworth|notemid=Sunday only}}
{{Historical Rail Insert}}
{{rail line |next={{stnlnk|Moses Gate}}<br />Line and station open |previous={{stnlnk|The Oaks}}<br />Line open, station closed |route=[[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]] |col={{LYR colour}} }}
{{Disused Rail Insert}}
{{rail line |previous={{stnlnk|Halliwell}}<br /><small>Line and station closed</small> |route=[[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]]<br /><small>[[Astley Bridge railway station|Astley Bridge Branch]]</small> |col={{LYR colour}} }}
{{rail line |previous={{stnlnk|Lostock Junction}}<br />Line and station open |next={{stnlnk|Darcy Lever}}<br />Line and station closed |route=[[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]]<br />[[Liverpool and Bury Railway]] |col={{LYR colour}} }}
{{s-end}}

{{Greater Manchester main railway stations}}
{{Buildings and structures in Bolton}}

[[Category:Railway stations served by Northern]]
[[Category:Railway stations in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton]]
[[Category:DfT Category C1 stations]]
[[Category:Former Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1838]]
[[Category:Bus stations in Greater Manchester]]
[[Category:1838 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bolton]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by TransPennine Express]]