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Tuesday, 23 February 2010Agreement reached to save Oldham Mumps canopies

An agreement to safeguard the future of the canopies at Oldham Mumps railway station has been welcomed by Greater Manchester's transport leader.

Councillor Keith Whitmore, Chair of Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA), is delighted that the canopies at the station, which is currently being converted to a Metrolink stop, will be restored on the East Lancashire Railway (ELR).

An agreement has been reached between MPact-Thales, the consortium appointed to convert the Oldham and Rochdale Loop Line to Metrolink, and the ELR to take the canopies down sympathetically so they can be used on the heritage railway line.

The wrought iron railings that lead passengers up to the platform are also being retained by the ELR.

Councillor Whitmore said: "This is great news. The canopies have a lot of local significance because they are a symbol of the historical Oldham and Rochdale railway line, which will soon become a brand new Metrolink line.

"I am delighted that an agreement has now been reached that will see the canopies restored to their former glory on the East Lancashire Railway.

"It's important to celebrate our local history and that's why the ELR is such an asset to the county, and the canopies from Oldham Mumps will be a valuable addition to it."

Andy Coward, ELR General Manager, said: "We are delighted and extremely grateful to GMITA, Stagecoach Metrolink and MPact-Thales for all their assistance in helping us to secure the canopies.

"The reduction in the cost of securing them will greatly aid us in raising the cost of purchase and transporting them back to our premises in Bury. We are hopeful that it won't be too long before we can start putting them back up."

Peter Jones, Project Manager with MPact-Thales, said: "We're pleased to have been able to work with the East Lancashire Railway to agree a way of salvaging these historic canopies.

"They are in a fragile state and will have to be treated sensitively if they are to be used elsewhere. That will be reflected in the way we take them down and we look forward to seeing them in place at Bury Bolton Street Station."

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