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Friday 22 Jul 2022

Lift off: new footbridge and lifts open to passengers at Barry station ahead of school holidays

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

Network Rail has opened the brand-new facilities ahead of schedule on Friday 22 July - making the busy station more accessible for all passengers this summer.  

The multi-million-pound transformation means all passengers - especially those with reduced mobility, carrying heavy luggage or with pushchairs - now have a step-free option between platforms 1, 2 and 3 for the first time. 

The upgrades include the installation of lifts and a brand-new footbridge to assist passengers rail journeys at one of the busiest stations in south Wales. 

Funded by the Department for Transport and Welsh Government under the ‘Access for All’ scheme, the £3.3m project aims to encourage the use of public transport. 

In 2020, Cadoxton Station - also on the Vale of Glamorgan Line - was upgraded with funding from the Access For All scheme. 

Barry Station's lift and footbridge were due to open in August but Network Rail and contractors, Centregreat Rail, worked around the clock to open the facilities in time for the summer holidays. 

Nick Millington, acting route director, Network Rail Wales and Borders said: “We’re thrilled to be able to open this footbridge and lifts for passengers at Barry station, this morning, in time for the school summer holidays. 

“We know from speaking to people in Barry that having a step-free access option at their local station will be life-changing, when travelling for work and leisure. 

“We are committed to making our railway across Wales and Borders accessible for everyone to make their journeys easier, safer and more enjoyable for many years to come.” 

Faye Harding, from New Horizons Day Service in the Vale of Glamorgan, which supports adults with physical disabilities between the ages of 18 & 65, said: 

“I am so pleased to see that this new bridge and lifts are now open.  

“It will make a massive difference to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility by giving them back their independence and allowing them to choose where they want to go.  

“I know many of our service users have been waiting a long time for this and it’s fantastic that we now have this facility here in our local town of Barry.” 

Jane Hutt, MS for the Vale of Glamorgan said: “It is brilliant that the new lifts are open in time for everyone to be able to use the station over the school holidays!  

“These upgrades are so important for everyone to be able to access our stations and it is wonderful that that these have been completed ahead of schedule.” 

Alun Cairns, MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, said: “It is fantastic to see the new accessible facilities open in time for the school holidays, giving passengers more flexibility and independence to travel by train over the summer.  

“This investment in Barry’s local transport infrastructure follows on from the Cadoxton Station upgrades in 2020 and I know they are going to make a huge difference to the local community and tourists.” 

Dr Robert Gravelle, Accessibility and Inclusion Manager for Transport for Wales, said: 

 “At Transport for Wales, we’re fully committed to building an accessible rail network for Wales and the Borders and improving accessibility at stations is a key part of this. We’re delighted to have worked with Network Rail to deliver this vital new footbridge at Barry, which will significantly improve accessibility at a key station on our network. 

 “We’re grateful for the guidance and support from our Accessibility and Inclusion Panel, who contributed their feedback during the design process. We’re looking forward to working together to develop more schemes throughout the network in the years ahead as part of the Access for All scheme.”