Alan Howarth, Network Rail scheme sponsor, said: “Working with Transport for Greater Manchester and Northern Rail has been a truly co-operative process, with Network Rail administering funds on behalf of the DfT, TfGM contributing a substantial part of their own money and Northern delivering the on-site work.”

Councillor Keith Whitmore, chair of Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “I’m delighted at the improvements that have been delivered at these popular stations. I am sure that they will be well received. It’s important that we work with our partners at Network Rail and Northern Rail to ensure passengers feel welcome, comfortable and safe when they’re travelling.”

Lee Wasnidge, area director for Northern Rail, comments: “The security of our passengers and employees will be greatly improved by the work at both Rochdale and Altrincham and we have worked hard with our partners to deliver this fantastic programme of enhancement. Thanks to the improvement to facilities, passengers will also now enjoy a more pleasant journey experience when travelling through both of these stations.”

At Rochdale, Northern Rail has created two new enclosed passenger waiting rooms with glass frontages for additional security. They also include new information screens, announcement system and CCTV cameras.

In the ticket office, a new accessible counter has been installed to make buying rail tickets easier for disabled passengers, and the station entrance now has new sliding doors. The subway flooring leading to the platforms has also been enhanced.

For the benefit of less able passengers, the leading edges of the stairs to platform level have been enhanced and a double height handrail has been fixed to the wall.

At platform level the canopies have been painted, drainage has been improved and lighting has been changed to give brighter illumination.

The toilet facilities have been completely upgraded, with new tiling, lighting and ventilation. A second ladies toilet has been opened after being out of use for some time.

Throughout the station, the number of CCTV cameras has been increased with the addition of another 11 new cameras, providing improved coverage, thereby making the station much more safe and secure for passengers to use.

In Altrincham, the rail part of the interchange is a joint facility used by Metrolink trams and Northern trains.

The security and ambience of the booking hall has been enhanced by the introduction of a glass partition with sliding doors leading to the Northern ticket office.

Other areas of the station used by Northern passengers have been cleaned and decorated, the footbridge staircase treads have new leading edges in order to improve accessibility and a new CCTV system has been installed throughout the interchange.