Passengers are now benefitting from improved access at Cadoxton station in south Wales after the opening of new multi-million-pound passenger lifts and a footbridge.
It means everyone including those using a wheelchair, pushchair, carrying heavy luggage or those with reduced mobility will be able to access both platforms easily as they are now step-free following the completion of the lifts as part of a £3m upgrade at the station.
The station improvements also includes a brand-new waiting shelter on platform two, widening the doorways in and out of the ticket office and the installation of tactile paving on the platform edge. A new ramp from the ticket office leading out onto platform one has also been built.
The investment has come directly from the Department for Transport’s ‘Access for All’ programme, which was launched in 2006 to improve accessibility at railway stations nationwide and has benefited from match funding from the Welsh Government.
Bill Kelly, Network Rail’s route director was joined by the Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris, Jane Hutt Deputy Minister, Alun Cairns MP Vale of Glamorgan and James Price CEO Transport for Wales and Simon Green, chair of Bridgend Coalition of Disabled People and trustee of Disability Wales, who officially opened the lifts on 28 August at a socially distanced official opening ceremony.
Rail accessibility minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “These new facilities at Cadoxton will be a fantastic improvement for passengers, giving disabled people increased confidence to travel as more people return to Wales’ railways.
“But there is still more to be done, and the UK government is already making 15 further stations in Wales more accessible as part of our £350 million Access for All scheme.”
UK Government Minister for Wales David TC Davies said: “The accessibility improvements at Cadoxton train station demonstrate the UK Government’s commitment to building a bigger, better railway for Wales.
“Accessible stations will open up routes to more passengers across the country, empowering people to travel independently and helping us to make inaccessible transport a thing of the past.”
Bill Kelly, Network Rail route director said: “I am delighted as the lifts and footbridge at Cadoxton are a real game changer for passengers who will no longer need to travel to Barry Island to benefit from step free access.
“Step free access benefits not only those with reduced mobility but also passengers with children, heavy luggage or shopping. We are committed to making our railway accessible for passengers and the new lifts are a welcome addition which will enhance the journey experience for many years to come.”
James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said: “I’m pleased that the new facilities at Cadoxton station have now opened for customer use, including the new step free footbridge. It represents a major improvement to the facilities at this busy station, and I’d like to thank TfW and Network Rail colleagues for their hard work in delivering this.
“At Transport for Wales, we’re fully committed to building a fully accessible rail network for Wales and the Borders and improving accessibility at stations is a key part of this. We’re proud to have worked collaboratively with Network Rail on improving the accessibility at Cadoxton, and we’re looking forward to working together to develop more schemes throughout the Wales and Borders network in the years ahead.”
Simon Green, Chair of Bridgend Coalition of Disabled People and trustee of Disability Wales, said: “I have been a wheelchair user since 2003 and use trains almost every day from my home in Pencoed. It frustrates me that there are many stations around Wales that are not accessible and so pleased more and more platforms are being made more disabled friendly and easier for those with heavy luggage.
“I have needed to travel home from Cadoxton before and haven’t been able to, the fact I and others with reduced mobility can now is great news. It will be an honour to be there and see the hard and essential work that’s been done. The more lifts that are built and more that is done to improve access the better so a big thanks to Transport for Wales.”
Photo credit: Network Rail
For today’s rail news from railbusinessdaily.com click here.
0113 2082620
info@railbusinessdaily.com
15 Mariner Court, Wakefield WF4 3FL
