Monday 12 Jul 2010
NEW FOOTBRIDGE AND LIFTS PROVIDE ACCESS FOR ALL AT IPSWICH STATION
- Region & Route:
- | Eastern: Anglia
- | Eastern
Work has started at Ipswich station to provide passengers with step free access between the station entrance and all four platforms as part of a multi-million pound national scheme to make the railway more accessible for everyone.
The project will include the installation of a new footbridge with stairs and two new lifts which will be fitted with closed-circuit television and telephone links. In addition, new lighting and CCTV systems will be installed and tactile paving laid on the platforms. The existing footbridge will be retained.
The new facilities at Ipswich station, which is the start or end for over 3m journeys every year, are expected to be completed by spring 2011.
Andrew Munden, Network Rail route director for Anglia, said: “Britain relies on rail so it’s vital that we provide facilities which make the railway easier to use, safer and more accessible for everyone. Whether you’re lugging heavy bags, have small children in tow or simply find the stairs a bit of a struggle, the improvements being made at Ipswich will make a real difference to passengers.
"This funding has made it possible for us to carry out these station improvements and we look forward to completing this work with the minimum of disruption to rail users."
Andrew Goodrum, customer service director, National Express East Anglia, said: "I'm very pleased that work is commencing on this important scheme at Ipswich station. We will be working with colleagues at Network Rail to help ensure a successful completion of the project which will greatly improve accessibility for our customers at one of our busiest stations."
Network Rail is managing and delivering the improvements, which are being funded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) £370m Access for All fund.
Notes to editors
Access for All is a £370m ring-fenced fund for station accessibility improvements under the government’s ten-year Railways for All strategy. Station selection and prioritisation is made by the DfT. To date, 148 stations in England, Wales and Scotland have been selected to receive step-free access improvements.
Other stations on the National Express East Anglia network that will benefit from Access for All step-free improvements are:
- Audley End, completed earlier this year,
- Brentwood, Chadwell Heath and Hackney Central in 2012,
- Ilford,Tottenham Hale and Walthamstow Central in 2013.
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