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Friday 15 Jul 2011

AUSTIN MITCHELL MP SEES ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS AT GRIMSBY STATION

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Passengers using Grimsby station have better access to all platforms after improvements were completed by Network Rail and First TransPennine Express.

Around 400,000 passengers use Grimsby Town station each year, but until now there has been no step-free access to all platforms.

A new footbridge and lifts have been installed and the disabled parking spaces relocated to make a station which is easier and more pleasant for all its users.

The £2 million scheme was funded through the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme, which was set up in 2006. The scheme has successfully funded 150 projects to improve access at stations across the UK.

Austin Mitchell MP joined Chris Jackson, area general manager, for Network Rail and Edith Rodgers, customer services director at First TransPennine Express to see the improvements for himself during a visit on Friday 15 July. Commenting on the improvements, he said: “"The first steps on a journey can be the most difficult, sometimes impossible, for those who're disabled. Thankfully this is no longer the case in Grimsby and the disabled can now use the station with confidence."

Chris Jackson said: “These new facilities are making using the station much easier for all passengers, including people with disabilities, those carrying heavy luggage or with pushchairs. This important funding has made it possible for us to carry out these improvements that will make the railway open to more and more people.”

Edith Rodgers added: “Easy access to the station and between platforms is vitally important for all passengers and these new lifts will be a major improvement, providing a much easier start and finish to thousands of journeys every year.”

The scheme to install lifts at Grimsby is the fifth scheme at a First TransPennine Express station. Similar schemes have been completed in the last four years at Middlesbrough, Huddersfield, Barrow-in-Furness and Warrington Central.

In 2006, Ministers announced a £370m ring-fenced fund for station accessibility improvements under the Government’s ten-year Railways for All strategy. Station selection and prioritisation is made by the Department for Transport.

To date, 150 stations in England, Wales and Scotland have been selected to receive step-free access improvements.