Media centre

Monday 10 Nov 2014

Lift off for improvements at Bingley station

Region & Route:

New lifts are providing improved access for rail passengers at Bingley station.

The lifts, which were officially opened on Friday (7 November) by representatives from Network Rail, Northern Rail, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Department for Transport, offer step-free access across the railway by connecting to the existing footbridge.

The £1.8m investment at Bingley station, which was funded by the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme, has provided the two new lifts and other improvements, such as a new ramped access into the station, tactile paving and signs.

All work was designed to complement the heritage features of the station while also making the modern changes needed to make the station easier to use for passengers.

The project has opened up this part of the railway network for all potential users including people with restricted mobility, heavy luggage and passengers with prams.

Phil Verster, Network Rail Route Managing Director, said: “Improving access at stations is an important part of building a bigger and better railway. The improvements provide passengers with more fully-accessible journey options.

“As the railway is used by more and more passengers, we will continue to invest and make improvements whenever and wherever possible.”

Natalie Loughborough, Customer Service Director at Northern Rail comments: “It important to us that everyone can benefit from our stations and we work very hard to make this possible. Some schemes are difficult for us to do alone which is why working together with our colleagues at Network Rail allows us to deliver projects like this.

“Network Rail has tackled a complex project at Bingley but now that it is successfully completed, we have an asset that can be enjoyed by all.

“Rail travel in West Yorkshire continues to go from strength to strength and it is through partnerships such as this with Network Rail and with the Combined Authority, that we ensure that that it continues to thrive."

Cllr Val Slater, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Transport, said: “It is excellent that the lifts have been installed at this very busy station, making it fully accessible for all rail users.

“Passengers with limited mobility or with children in pushchairs can now have step free access to both platforms, giving them the same opportunities as everyone else to use the train service for work and leisure.”