Passengers using Stechford station in Birmingham are celebrating after the opening of new passenger lifts this week marked the conclusion of a £3.9m ‘Access for All’ upgrade scheme.
As well as the crucial new lifts the work, carried out by Network Rail, has seen new lighting and upgraded CCTV installed at the popular station in the east of the city.
The completion of the project has been welcomed by Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris. The multi-million-pound investment was provided directly from the Department for Transport’s ‘Access for All’ programme, which was launched in 2006 to improve accessibility at railway stations nationwide.
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for station operator West Midlands Railway, said: “Making sure the railway network is accessible for all our customers is a priority and this important scheme is another great example of how we are working hard to make things happen.
“Well over half a million passenger journeys are made using Stechford every year and this facility represents a welcome addition for our customers at the station.”
Dave Penney, central route director at Network Rail, said: “It is fantastic that the improvements at Stechford have been completed, meaning passengers now have step-free access to the rail network.
“We have worked closely with the Department for Transport and West Midlands Railway to deliver this upgrade which will benefit passengers and the local community for many years to come.”
Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Rail Minister, said: “Rail services are a crucial lifeline for many disabled people. The new lifts at Stechford, funded by our Access for All scheme, will ensure all passengers can confidently and reliably access the transport links they need most.
“Accessible, reliable rail infrastructure will be at the heart of our post-Covid recovery and we are due to invest more than £380m into our Access for All programme between now and 2024 to provide accessible routes at more than 100 stations nationwide.”
Photo credit: West Midlands Railway
