A package of measures to improve accessibility is being introduced at Chapeltown, Wombwell, Elescar, Darton and Meadowhall in a bid to help make rail travel easier and safer.
The project is being paid for through the Department for Transport’s Access for All Small Schemes grant and funding from South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE).
The money will be spent on the following improvements:
· New passenger information displays at Chapeltown, Elsecar and Wombwell
· Improved hand rails, footpaths, platform seating, platform edges, signage and tactile paving at all four stations
· Additional Help Points at all four stations
· Improved accessible parking at Darton and Wombwell
· The access linking Meadowhall Station and Tyler Street will be made compliant for passengers and local residents.
The walk way will have existing steps removed, tactile warning surfaces, new handrails and improved lighting
· CCTV facilities at Chapeltown
· Improved cycle storage facilities at Elsecar, Wombwell and Darton.
David Young, Head of Transport Integration at SYPTE, said: “Our aim is to encourage more people to use public transport and this funding will make it much easier for people to use these railway stations.
“The improvements are part of our strategy to improve the transport infrastructure across South Yorkshire. They will not only benefit people with disabilities, but also other people with mobility needs, such as mums with pushchairs.”
The Access for All Small Schemes programme is a national scheme, which aims to remove barriers to rail travel. It is part of the government’s £370 million Accessibility Strategy for Britain’s Railways which covers improving information for travellers, improving access to and within stations, increasing the number of accessible trains and improving staff training.
Rail Minister Tom Harris said: “More people than ever before are taking the train, but for some it can be like facing an obstacle course. I’m happy to announce this latest tranche of stations to receive Access for All funding which will make a significant improvement to people’s journeys.”
This is the second year running SYPTE has been successful in securing funding from the Access for All scheme. Last year SYPTE received £290,000 funding, which is being used to upgrade facilities at Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe and Thorne North stations.
In the last five years local rail patronage in South Yorkshire has risen from 5.1m to 6.1m. SYPTE will continue to work with train operators and Network Rail, through the Travel South Yorkshire Partnership, to ensure this rise in passenger number continues and that all passengers in South Yorkshire have an enjoyable journey.
If you would like more information please contact Julia Price, Senior Communications Officer on 0114 221 1413 or email juliap@sypte.co.uk