Friday 25 Oct 2013
Easier access for passengers at Henley-in-Arden
- Region & Route:
Passengers will soon benefit from better access at Henley-in-Arden station thanks to a £2m investment to provide lifts and a new footbridge.
Work on the scheme will get underway next weekend (1-3 November) and will be delivered by Network Rail as part of the Access for All programme, funded by the Department for Transport.
Liam Sumpter, Network Rail area director, said: “These vital improvements to Henley station will make life easier for everyone to use the train, especially those with heavy luggage or reduced mobility. The new facilities at the station will play an important role in helping us to manage the individual needs of the increasing numbers of passengers who travel on the railway.”
This weekend, the old station footbridge will be removed and replaced with a temporary footbridge until spring 2014 when the project is due to complete. The station remains open for passengers throughout the project.
Terry Oliver, London Midland’s head of Snow Hill service said: “We are committed to providing quality journeys for everyone and the enhancements at Henley-in-Arden station will be of great benefit to our passengers.”
Rail Minister Baroness Kramer said: “Improvements like these make a real difference to those using the railways. Opening up access at stations and providing step-free routes gives all passengers, including those with disabilities and parents with young children, greater access to employment and social opportunities.”
The old footbridge has been donated to the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR).
Notes to editors
The project is wholly funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Network Rail.
Henley-in-Arden station is owned by Network Rail, managed by London Midland
The main contractor for design and construction is J.Murphy & Sons Ltd.
Access for All key points:
Step-free stations offer accessible routes from entrance to platform. Step-free access not only benefits disabled people or those with reduced mobility, but also people with children, heavy luggage or shopping, and some more elderly people.
Wheelchair users, people with mobility issues, parents with pushchairs, assistance dogs and passengers with heavy or awkward luggage will find using key stations easier.
No train services are affected by this Access for All improvement work. The station remains open throughout.
Lifts are automatic and give an audible tone when the doors open and close. Staircases and platform edges have tactile warning surfaces and there are lowered handrails on footbridges.
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