The stations will benefit from improved access as part of the ‘Access for All’ scheme. Previous work under the scheme has included such improvements as new ramps, lifts or tactile paving.
Detailed designs and costing for each station will be drawn up by Network Rail in due course, and the projects will be completed by 2019.
Network Rail managing director of network operations Robin Gisby said: “More and more people are travelling on our railways than ever before, so it’s important that we make taking the train as easy as possible for everyone. Better accessibility will mean a better experience for people with reduced mobility, carrying heavy luggage or travelling with children, but we’ll also be investing to improve signage and customer information for all passengers.”
The stations to benefit in the next round are:
London and the southeast: West Hampstead, Queen’s Park, Tottenham Hale, Peckham Rye, Seven Sisters, Chatham, Hither Green, Walton-on-Thames, Battersea Park, Streatham, Petts Wood, Blackhorse Road, St Mary Cray, Goldalming, Whitton, Virginia Water, Theale and Barnes.
East of England: Luton, Grays, Southend East and Manningtree.
Midlands: Lichfield Trent Valley, Market Harborough, Warwick, Alfreton and Kidsgrove.
Northwest: Liverpool Central, Penrith and Leyland.
Scotland: Hamilton Central, Blairhill and Elgin.
Southwest: Cheltenham Spa and Weston-Super-Mare.
Wales: Trefforest, Cathays, Barry Town and Llanelli.
Yorkshire and the Humber: Hebden Bridge, Garforth and Northallerton.
A total of £460m has gone into improving station access since 2006. In addition to the 42 stations announced here, the Access For All scheme will have delivered step-free routes at more than 150 other stations by 2015, while a further 1,100 stations have had smaller-scale improvements. The rail industry is also required to make access improvements in line with line with EU and UK standards whenever they carry out infrastructure works at stations.
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