A £10 million rail maintenance depot has been unveiled at Guide Bridge to help keep passenger and freight services running smoothly across Greater Manchester.

The new two-storey facility will serve as the base for more than 120 Network Rail staff who work around the clock to maintain the railway and respond to incidents. Network Rail says the new building will improve collaboration and allow teams to respond more quickly to faults, helping reduce delays for passengers.

Built in just over a year on a 2.3-acre former railway siding, the depot brings four track maintenance teams together under one roof for the first time. They had previously operated from separate temporary cabins, with outdated facilities on the same site.

The depot has been built to modern accessibility standards and includes locker rooms, shower facilities and a staff mess room with space for up to 100 people.

Sustainability features include 60 rooftop solar panels expected to generate around 44% of the building’s energy and ten electric vehicle charging points to support a future all-electric fleet.

Despite its £10 million value, the project was completed £6 million under budget, thanks to efficiency measures in construction and design.

“It’s fantastic to see this new depot at Guide Bridge now in use and provide modern facilities for the teams based there so they can respond to incidents and maintain the railway for passengers and freight in Greater Manchester.

“The teams have worked across multiple temporary buildings and not the best of environments for many years, so I’m sure this new striking building with top-notch accommodation will make a massive difference to them and the work they are able to achieve.”

Clare Waller, Network Rail’s interim North West route director.