Henry Smith MP has welcomed the announcement today that Crawley Station will receive a share of a £60 million funding package to improve access for passengers.
Accessible, step-free access will be provided at 26 stations across the country, after the Government announced additional funding earlier this month to extend the Access for All programme. The 26 stations will get an accessible route into the station and between each platform, such as via lifts.
Henry said;
“I am pleased that this Government is investing in the issue of accessibility at Crawley Station.
“I raised this issue with Baroness Kramer, the Minister of State for Transport, earlier this year when we opened the new platform at Gatwick Airport Station, and I am pleased that the representations of people in our town have been heard.
“While the precise plans are yet to be drawn up, I look forward to following this announcement up with the Minister.”
The Government announced in its National Infrastructure Plan earlier this month that it will increase the funding for Access for All by £60 million.
The successful stations were nominated by the rail industry last year and selected for funding according to passenger numbers, the needs of the local area, and proximity to facilities such as hospitals or schools for disabled children.
Detailed costing and design work for each station will now be drawn up by Network Rail, with all of the projects due to be completed by 2019.
Baroness Kramer, Minister of State for Transport, commented;
“Making the rail network accessible to all is a vital part of our plans to build a stronger economy and a fairer society.
“These improvements will make a real difference to passengers – from those with limited mobility, to people with heavy luggage or parents with prams. This is great news.”
By the end of 2019, more than £520 million will have been invested in delivering step-free routes at more than 215 stations across the country, while a further 1,100 stations will have benefited from smaller-scale improvements. In addition, the rail industry is also required to make access improvements whenever they carry out infrastructure works at stations.
Follow Henry daily via:
www.twitter.com/HenrySmithMP
www.facebook.com/henrysmithmp
www.youtube.com/HenrySmithMP