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Thursday 18 Mar 2010

TIP-TOP TIPTON STATION REOPENS A MONTH EARLY

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Tipton railway station will reopen a month early following a £2.5m refurbishment by Network Rail, with London Midland passenger services returning from Sunday 28 March.

The station closed in the middle of last September and was not expected to reopen until May but excellent work by Network Rail’s investment projects building function and their contractor J Murphy & Sons Ltd, means passengers will reap the benefits early.

Network Rail route director Jo Kaye said: “We aim to finish all our projects on time so it is especially pleasing when we can deliver them ahead of schedule. Now we have made it easier for passengers to get on and off the platforms by providing step-free access. We have also reduced the gap between the platform and trains, so getting on board is easier too.”

London Midland commercial director Alex Hynes said: “This is great news for London Midland passengers in the Black Country.

“There is better and safer access to platforms and trains and the work was finished sooner than we expected. We hope more passengers in Tipton will take advantage of our great offers.”

The platforms at Tipton were originally built around 90 years ago and have been replaced with modern, low-maintenance materials that include tactile paving so visually impaired passengers know when they are approaching the edge. They also have a new anti-slip surface.

There is a new glass and steel waiting shelter on the Birmingham-bound platform and the route from the car park and through the underpass has been improved.

Although trains continued to run while the work was being carried out, they were not able to stop at the station and train operator London Midland arranged replacement road transport to and from Coseley.