Tuesday 16 Jul 2013
Easier access for passengers at Horton-in-Ribblesdale
- Region & Route:
Passengers using Horton-in-Ribblesdale station on the Settle and Carlisle line can now enjoy better access between the platform and the train following the completion of a project to install an easier access area on the southbound platform.
The £5m project will provide easier access on 80 platforms at 62 stations in England and Wales and Horton-in-Ribblesdale is one of the first to see the benefit of this investment. The project follows the pioneering work undertaken at Harrington in Cumbria.
The easier access areas are a modular system used to raise the height of platforms which in the past have been too low for some passengers to use.
Dyan Crowther, Network Rail route managing director explained: “Passengers with mobility problems, pushchairs, wheelchairs and even lots of luggage have struggled to use some stations on the rail network because of the large gap between the platform and the train.
“The solution is simple, and cost effective. Rather than an expensive platform rebuild, sections of platforms are raised to the same height as the train door. Importantly, the structure is also ramped making it ideal for anyone to use.”
Funding was provided by the Department for Transport’s Access For All programme, the design was drawn up in partnership with Northern Rail and the scheme is supported by Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company, Friends of the Settle-Carlisle line and will be delivered by Network Rail.
Rail minister Norman Baker said: “Improvements like these make a real difference to those using the railways. Opening up access at stations and providing easier access gives all passengers, including those with disabilities and parents with young children, greater access to employment and social opportunities”.
“And everyone feels the benefit of taking a train from stations with improved facilities and layout.”
Drew Haley, client and stakeholder manager for Northern Rail, comments: “We are delighted to work in partnership with Network Rail and other industry partners to make improvements allowing passengers, who have previously been unable to travel by train, to use the rail network.”
Richard Morris, Chairman, Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line added: "The Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line are delighted to see this improvement in access between platform and train at Horton station. It's something that our members and rail passengers have long wished to see at a station that is widely regarded as the gateway to the Yorkshire Three Peaks."
Notes to editors
Railways first came to Britain almost 200 years ago. Different stations were built by different railway companies and there was no uniformity in their design. Consequently, the height of the platforms varied considerably with low platforms being a particular problem at smaller rural stations.
This has left a legacy of stations for the modern-day railway that simply cannot be used by the disabled, elderly, parents with children in buggies and even those with heavy luggage.
The easier access area is a system for raising the height of platforms to improve access between the platform and the train, the structure can built to any length and is variable in height so it will suit any platform, no matter how large the difference in height between the platform and the train. The areas are ramped, making it ideal for anyone to use.
The system is particularly suitable for smaller rural stations where the railway can be the lifeblood of the community. Groups of people who may have been previously been denied access to the railway network at these locations could have untold journey opportunities opened up to them.
The system can be custom built to suit the needs of a particular station and installed in a matter of days at a fraction of the accepted cost of rebuilding the platform. The works cost typically £25k to £50k per station depending on complexity and size of the job.
The Easier Access Area is made from fibre reinforced plastic (FRP). They are being manufactured in Bristol by Polydeck Ltd and was installed by Murphy Group Limited for Network Rail.
Details of the remaining stations to be delivered will be confirmed later this year.
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