Six months of work to give station lifts
TRAINS WILL BE MORE ACCESSIBLE
WORK has started on a multi-millionpound project – set to last for six months – to upgrade Beeston railway station.
Two new lifts will be installed to improve accessibility for disabled passengers.
East Midlands Railway says the work officially started yesterday and that a temporary diversion will be in place for some passengers.
The new lifts will provide step-free access between platforms one and two.
The existing platform one staircase will also be removed and replaced with a new set of stairs.
Gary Walsh, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Midlands route, said: “This project is vital in improving the experience of passengers as they travel by train, and it’s great to see work beginning at Beeston.
“Engineers will be working to install two new lifts, providing unobstructed step-free access to all passengers for the first time in the station’s history.
“We’ll make sure that disruption to passengers is minimal as we complete the work and look forward to delivering a station which better serves the local community towards the end of this year.”
The upgrades are scheduled to be completed by autumn, with the length of the step-free route being reduced once it is finished.
A temporary diversion will be in place during the project for passengers going from one side of the station to the other.
Dave Meredith, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “A signposted alternative route will be in place while the staircase on platform two is replaced.”
He added: “We are advising our customers to allow plenty of time to walk between the platforms, as this will add approx. seven minutes on to their journey and we would like to apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.
“Once complete, Beeston railway station will be accessible and safer for our customers for the future.”