Media centre

Monday 8 Jul 2013

Three stations on West Coast main line to become more accessible for all

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

| Southern

Work is start this month to provide passengers at Leighton Buzzard, Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead with step-free access between the station entrance and platforms, making the railway more accessible for everyone.

The three schemes, which are part of the government's Access for All programme, will include:

• Leighton Buzzard: A new station footbridge and passenger lifts between all platforms.

• Hemel Hempstead: New passenger lifts between the subway and all platforms.

• Berkhamsted: New passenger lifts between the subway and all platforms.

All three projects are set to start today (July 8th) with completion scheduled for February 2014. To minimise disruption the stations and platforms will remain fully open and operational throughout the works.

Dyan Crowther, Network Rail route managing director, said: “The improvement works at these three stations will make a big difference to passengers. Once completed, the stations will be easier to use and more accessible for everyone. Those passengers with reduced mobility or travelling with small children or heavy luggage should reap the biggest benefits.”

Access for All is a £390m fund for station accessibility. Station selection and prioritisation is made by the DfT. To date, 98 stations in England, Wales and Scotland have been completed and received access improvements.

Patrick Verwer, London Midland’s managing director, added: "This significant investment represents great news for our passengers and, importantly, these improvement works will allow even more people to easily access rail travel from their local station.”