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Step-free access approved for 'no-go' railway station

Joe Willis,Local Democracy Reporting Serviceand
Andrew Barton,Yorkshire
News imageNetwork Rail The image shows a railway station viewed from the top of a footbridge. In the foreground, bright yellow handrails lead down a set of stairs toward the platforms. To the right is a platform with a small brick station building that has a blue roof and several skylights. Signs point to the “Way out” and “Buses.” Multiple railway tracks run through the center of the scene. On the left side is another platform.Network Rail
Funding has been secured to install lifts at Thirsk Railway Station

A railway station with no step-free access between its platforms is a step closer to having lifts installed after the government confirmed it would fund the work.

Thirsk Railway Station has been described by some users as a "no-go area" for anyone with mobility problems.

Both platforms and the booking office are currently accessed using a flight of steps, with a step-free barrow crossing only usable when the station is staffed.

Thirsk and Malton MP, Kevin Hollinrake, said the development was "fantastic news for passengers who currently struggle with the station's stairs".

He said "disabled travellers, parents with pushchairs and people with luggage" would all benefit from the scheme.

He added that he had been calling for improvements at the station for several years, with a "team effort" needed to secure government funding for the project.

"For too long some passengers have had to cross high-speed tracks as an alternative, which has been completely unacceptable," he said.

"I'm pleased that the Department for Transport (DfT) has now announced its support."

He also thanked TransPennine Express, the Rail Minister and North Yorkshire Council for their role in "making this happen".

"The installation of lifts will make Thirsk station safer, more accessible, and more inclusive for everyone," he said.

News imageGoogle The image shows the entrance area to Thirsk railway station. A road curves gently uphill on the left, with a car travelling along it, and a tall British Rail-sign displaying the station name “Thirsk” on a pole beside the road. To the right is a large car park filled with vehicles, with marked bays and signs. A pedestrian footbridge spans the railway in the background, with stairs leading up to it. The surroundings include trees, grass, and a partly cloudy sky.Google
The Local Democracy Reporting Service said user groups had described the railway station as 'no-go' for people with mobility issues

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said Thirsk councillor, Gareth Dadd, had also welcomed news of the funding.

Dadd said: "I've been campaigning for this for years and I'm absolutely delighted that, at last, this wrong seems to be on course to be righted."

A spokesperson for the DfT said the government was "committed to improving the accessibility of Britain's railway and recognises the significant social and economic benefits of doing so".

The station is among 23 across the UK to progress to the "detailed design" stage under the government's Access for All programme.

Launched in 2006, Access for All seeks to address issues faced by disabled passengers and people with luggage or pushchairs at railway stations.

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