What can be done with Salford Central, if anything, as the regeneration/electrification/Hub engineering works gather pace? There's long since dead platforms covered in greenery, and I'm not entirely sure if they could be used once all the works in the Manchester and northern area are completed.
Do any plans exist for a Central with more than the current two platforms?
Well this has been an intersting debate about Salford Central Station. I used to use Salford Central Station in the 1980's before the Windsor Link was built and opened, and as a matter of oppinion, completely messing up the L&Y route out of Manchester to what is now Salford Crescent. A badly planned and sited station if there was one.
I used to work in the area behind Knott Mill & Deansgate Station, so I was pleased with not having to walk all the way from Salford Central, but missed the exercise. Salford Central is much better placed for many parts of Central Manchester than either Victoria or Piccadilly. Only Oxford Road is as good.
All four platforms would be a real advantage for when the Northern Hub is finished. It would be a tight curve off the old LNWR line into the now disused platfroms, but as the trains would be stopping or starting, then high speed would not be necessary. Then the current though (LNWR) lines would be used for the Ordsall Curve and Platforms could be built on them, there is space as there were four lines through here plus the former bay platform at Salford Central space is also available.
As all this is common sense, don't expect any of these good ideas actually put into practice. We are dependent upon Politicans, and we all know have useful they are, with a few honourable exceptions. They will look at the cost, pare them down to the very basics and then in a few years time when they should have done something that was cut, they will then pay for it to be done at at least 3/4 times the cost. Consider the Aberdare line platform length shambles.
Just my personal views.