Disability access to be improved at Ludlow Railway Station
South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne has welcomed the announcement today of government funding to improve disability access at Ludlow Railway Station.
Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani has announced that over the next 5 years journeys will be opened up across Britain as upgrades, including footbridges and lifts, make it easier for disabled people to travel on the UK’s rail network.
The Government made up to £300m available to extend the Access for All programme across the next five years from 2019 to 2024.
Mr Dunne coordinated the campaign to help Ludlow receive funding through the Access for All scheme, which helps install accessible, routes at railway stations, in addition to access improvements the rail sector is required to deliver.
The Ludlow MP was spurred to action following concerns raised by local residents and visitors to Ludlow suffering from poor access to the from the ticket hall on the northbound platform to the southbound platform at the station. Figures from the Office of Rail and Road had shown Ludlow is the busiest station between Hereford and Shrewsbury, yet suffered from poor disability access and no lift.
Over 300,000 people started or finished their journey at Ludlow Station in 2017/18, almost 40,000 more journeys than Leominster, which benefits from lift access between platforms.
Mr Dunne said: “I am delighted Ludlow has been successful in the Access for All programme, and will benefit from funds to improve disability access.
"I met Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani on several occasions to press home Ludlow’s case for inclusion in this scheme, as I had been contacted by both local residents and visitors to our town concerned about poor access between platforms for those with mobility issues.
"I am grateful to Shropshire Access Group, Ludlow Rail Users, Marches Rail Users Alliance, Ludlow’s Mayor, and Shropshire Council and Councillors who supported my campaign.”
Funding will also be given to improve disability access at Wellington Railway Station. Subject to further feasibility studies, the money will be used to create a new accessible route into the station as well as to and between every platform to make the transport system more inclusive and better for people with a disability
