WORK has begun on a major facelift for a suburban railway station in Burnley ahead of the reopening of the key route to Manchester.

Rose Grove station will be elevated to the status of a key junction when the new faster service to Manchester begins on May 17, following the reopening of the Todmorden Curve.

Not only will it be a regular calling point for the city-bound trains every hour but it will see an increase number of transfers from Pendle passengers who can change there for Manchester.

Contractors have started on a £160,000 revamp which will see a new waiting shelter and seating, a real-time train display, ticket vending machine and improved signage .

Edwin Booth, LEP chairman, said: “Footfall at Rose Grove station is predicted to double to nearly 100,000 passengers a year following the introduction of the regular direct service to Manchester.

“This investment to improve facilities will encourage people to use the new service and ensure that passengers have a good experience.

“The board is developing a separate scheme to provide a car park and bus interchange, to further improve connections and convenience for everyone.

“This is an exciting time for Burnley and we’re really looking forward to the start of the direct service to Manchester and the benefits that will result.”

Security will be upgraded with CCTV cameras, a passenger-operated help point, and the removal of large trees on the platform to create a more open platform.

Kate Ingram, the borough council’s regeneration head, said: “These improvements are part of a wider transformational programme of schemes to improve transport links.

“Rose Grove station will become busier once direct rail services to Manchester start next month and it’s important that it delivers.”

The work at Rose Grove follows an overhaul for Burnley Manchester Road station and traffic lights being installed at Gannow and Barracks roundabouts, on junction 10 of the M65.