Media centre

Friday 5 Apr 2019

Key project to improve accessibility at Marsden station successfully completed

Region & Route:

Eastern

Network Rail, working in partnership with Northern and TransPennine Express, has successfully completed a vital project at Marsden railway station which will make alighting and boarding trains calling at platform two much easier.

The platform has been raised, meaning that there is no longer a large drop between the train and the platform. This removes the need for single door operation, the process where only one set of doors on the train open, making boarding and alighting the train much easier. The project will also reduce congestion.

The money for the work has come from the £15million benefits package for the North, which was announced by Rail Minister Andrew Jones in late 2018.

Anna-Jane Hunter, Network Rail’s Director of Rail for the North of England, said:  “We are absolutely delighted that this vital work has now completed and it is great to mark this occasion today alongside our industry colleagues and those living locally.

“We know that this will really benefit passengers using platform two as getting on and off trains will now be much easier. This is a fantastic example of the rail industry working together to improve the railway for all users.”

Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, commented: “We are pleased that work to raise the height of the platform is now complete. We have responded to customer feedback and this will make it easier for customers to comfortably get on and off our trains.”

Steve Hopkinson, Regional Director for Northern, said: “The improved accessibility at Marsden gives more people improved access to all the railway has to offer.

“The improvements at the station go hand-in-hand with our own investment across the Northern network. This will see new trains, more refurbished trains and better stations all introduced during 2019.”

ENDS