Friday 9 Jul 2010
BETTER ACCESSS AND IMPROVED FACILITIES AT MIDDLESBROUGH STATION
- Region & Route:
Passengers using Middlesbrough station have better access and facilities after improvements were completed by Network Rail and First TransPennine Express.
Middlesbrough is the second busiest train station in the Tees Valley with around 1.3m passengers a year. Two new lifts now provide all passengers, particularly those with reduced mobility, with step-free access between the station entrance and platforms. An improved CCTV system has also been installed and a new café (the Travellers Rest) opened on the station concourse.
Speaking of the scheme, Transport Minister Theresa Villiers said: "We want to encourage more people to travel by train so I'm delighted that the £1.7m Access for All funding the Government has provided has helped improve access to Middlesbrough station, making travel easier for people with reduced mobility.”
Sir Stuart Bell MP joined Warrick Dent, area general manager for Network Rail and Vernon Barker, managing director at First TransPennine Express to see the improvements for himself during a visit on Friday 9 July. Commenting on the improvements, he said: “Middlesbrough station is one in which the town can be proud. It is welcome to see these improvements being made by Network Rail for the benefit of the station’s users. Public transport is vital to the Tees Valley and these improvements are a confirmation of commitment to our public transport network.”
Warrick Dent, 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.”
Vernon Barker 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.”
Councillor Paul Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for Streetscene and transport, said: “The two new lifts are of huge benefit for passengers using the station. They enable every passenger to enjoy easy and convenient access to all the station’s platforms. The new café and CCTV also greatly improve the passenger experience.
“Middlesbrough Council is committed to the continual improvement of our transport network.”
Notes to editors
The lifts and CCTV system were delivered by Network Rail and funded through the Department for Transport (DfT)’s Access for All scheme and cost around £1.7m.
The café was project managed by First TransPennine Express and jointly funded by the National Station Improvement Programme (NSIP) and the Railway Heritage Trust. £100,000 came from the Railway Heritage Trust, and £160,000 from NSIP. There was also a £20,000 contribution from Network Rail's reactive maintenance budget for roof repairs.
Other stations on the First TransPennine Express network that will benefit from Access for All step-free improvements are Huddersfield and Grimsby Town, both of which are due for completion later this year. Work is planned for Stalybridge in 2013. Stations to benefit from NSIP are Dewsbury, Grimsby, Huddersfield, Middlesbrough, Northallerton, Scarborough, Selby, Stalybridge and Warrington Central.
About Access for All
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 DfT. To date, 148 stations in England, Wales and Scotland have been selected to receive step-free access improvements.
About National Stations Improvement Programme
A joint Rail Industry initiative funded primarily by the DfT. The 5 year programme aims to deliver a minimum of £150m worth of station improvements, to a minimum of 150 medium sized stations in England and Wales (excluding Network Rail managed stations).
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