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Friday 7 Oct 2022

Johnstone station bridges accessibility gap

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Johnstone station’s new, fully-accessible footbridge and lifts are now open for passengers.

Delivered by STORY on behalf of Network Rail, the new layout makes it easier for people with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children or cycles to access the platforms, whether they are heading towards Glasgow or the Ayrshire Coast.

The footbridge takes station users from the entrance, over the railway, with lifts now in place to take people down to platform level.

Liam Sumpter, Route Director, Network Rail Scotland said: “We are delighted to have completed this investment in Johnstone station and the new bridge and lifts will make the railway easily accessible to even more people in the local community.

“Scotland’s Railway is working closely with Transport Scotland to deliver access improvements at as many stations as possible so we can open up the network and create more travel choices for people across the country.”

As part of Network Rail’s commitment to being a greener, more efficient railway, the project has been exemplary in its approach to community engagement and sustainability best practices.

Activities at Johnstone have included donating and replanting small trees removed from the platform gardens to MossEdge Village. The team used recycled construction materials, including low-carbon concrete, and reused materials to refurbish metal fencing. The team also carried out STEM sessions with pupils from nearby Auchenlodment Primary School.

Brian O’Hare, Contracts Manager for Story Scotland, said: “The team worked around the clock to complete the scheme to improve access at Johnstone station.

“Collectively we are proud to deliver such an important upgrade which gives residents and passengers the availability of new lifts and a footbridge, meaning that disabled and wheelchair users; the elderly; families with prams and pushchairs; and the many others who find it difficult to access the railway, will have a much safer and easier time now.”

The project has been funded by the Access for All scheme, which is an ongoing investment in Scotland’s Railway designed to improve access within stations for people with impaired mobility.

Since its launch in 2006, Access for All has funded improvements at 25 Scottish stations, with a further six – Johnstone, Croy, Anniesland, Port Glasgow, Uddingston and Dumfries – due to be upgraded.

The programme at Croy is also nearing completion.