Disabled passengers and older people will benefit from
accessibility improvements at railway stations across the
country, with the Chancellor expected announce a £50 million
package of investment in tomorrow’s Budget.
is set to pledge the
cash to upgrade another 12 stations across the country.
This builds on a £300 million ‘Access for All’ programme of
investment already underway to upgrade accessibility at 73
stations across the UK – from Abergavenny to Wandsworth.
Previous projects funded include the installation of accessible
toilets at 18 stations – including a Changing Places toilet at
London Paddington – and a new footbridge and four lifts
installed at St Neots station in Cambridgeshire.
The funding will pay for lifts and ramps to create an
obstacle free, accessible route from a station
entrance to the platform.
In addition to improving accessibility for disabled people and
the elderly, this work will also benefit parents with
pushchairs and prams – providing better access to shops,
leisure facilities and other local services.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer said:
“We’re committed to levelling up
opportunities for all – and it’s essential everyone can access
their local transport services to go about their daily lives
with ease.
“These upgrades will ensure the elderly,
disabled, parents with young children and others with mobility
problems can get around and make the most of this decade of
growth. I want facilities like this to be the norm, and never
the exception.”
The new stations set to benefit from this funding are:
- Apsley in Hertfordshire
- Beeston in Nottinghamshire
- Eaglescliffe in County Durham
- East Grinstead in West Sussex
- Eridge in East Sussex
- Flitwick in Bedfordshire
- Ockendon in Essex
- Newtown in Powys, Mid Wales
- Walkden in Greater Manchester
- Motspur Park, South Croydon and Tooting in London.
Around one in five stations on the railway network are
currentlyfully accessible, so this investment will go some
way to improving that record.
Since the Access for All programme was launched in 2006, it has
provided over 200 stations with step-free access.
Three-quarters of rail journeys are now made through step-free
stations, up from 50% in 2005. It has funded over 130 new or
refurbished accessible toilets, while 1,500 stations have
received funding to make smaller-scale improvements – such as
induction hearing loops or improved Blue Badge parking.
The Budget will also include £30 million to upgrade toilets in
existing buildings to include Changing Places facilities. This
will help ensure those with severe disabilities are able to
visit buildings and enjoy local leisure facilities and
services.
There will also be a change to building regulations guidance so
that changing places toilets are compulsory for new public
buildings by the end of this year.
