Lifts plan for Beeston station ‘welcomed’ by councillors

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Beeston Station July 2021

By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans for a lift at Beeston railway station have been ‘welcomed’ by councillors.

Beeston station has two platforms directly linked only by stairs to a bridge over the line – meaning anyone who cannot use stairs faces a 500m-long alternative route to get from one to the other.

Broxtowe Borough Council has agreed to the disposal of a patch of land to Network Rail so lifts could be built at its cabinet meeting on July 25.

The Friends of Beeston Station campaign group has been calling for lifts to be built at the station since 2017.

Cllr Helen Skinner (Lab) said at the meeting: “It’s really good that we’re going to have a lift in the station.

“I hope it will mean that the ticket office can remain open because a lot of us have been fighting for ticket offices to stay open, particularly for disabled people.

“I hope this can go forward.”

Train companies are planning to close ticket offices at hundreds of stations across the country – including Beeston – in the next three years.

But concerns have been raised by disability groups over those plans.

Cllr Greg Marshall (Lab) said: “I will be supporting this proposal, there is an importance attached to Beeston station.

“The ticket office itself is under threat. If that disappears it is feasible that there could be no staff at Beeston station.

“It is a serious threat to people who are vulnerable or have disabilities.

“It is the ticket office person who will give you the key if you need to use the loo which I think is a fairly basic criterion.”

Cllr Milan Radulovic, leader of the council, (Lab) added: “I am sure the access will be welcomed by all people with disabilities.”

He said the council would write to Network Rail about the designs.

Cllr Radulovic said: “Can we suggest a more aesthetically pleasing and functional design, rather than an open piece of steel which looks a little bit primitive, to say the least.

“Beeston deserves better than that.”

Council papers said: “Network Rail is currently undertaking design works to install lifts at Beeston Station to make the Station accessible for all.

“To enable the works Network Rail would need to permanently acquire a parcel of land extending 165 sq m from Broxtowe Borough Council.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Network Rail is progressing with plans for the Access for All scheme at Beeston station, and a further update will be provided in due course. It is not currently able to confirm a transfer of land.”

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