News

New lifts under way for Beeston station

By Lauren Monaghan, Junior Local Democracy Reporter

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Work to install new lifts at Beeston Station are under way as part of a multi-million-pound project aimed at improving rail passenger access.

Two new lifts are being installed to improve access between platforms 1 and 2 at the station, where travellers currently do not have step-free access between them.

The lifts are a first for Beeston’s train station, which has only ever had stair access between platforms since being built in 1847.

Currently, travellers are having to take a longer walk around the station as the stairs linking the platforms have been demolished.

The changes are aimed at helping the elderly, people with disabilities and parents of small children.

Beeston Central Councillor Vanessa Smith said: “It’s a great idea, the station for a long time has been pretty difficult for people who can’t use the steps because you had to go a long way around to get to the platforms.

“I think for the accessibility of the station, we are campaigning to [also] keep the ticket offices open for people who struggle to use digital machines… we have a huge diverse group of people is Beeston who use the station and need to access it in different ways.”

Councillor Neil Clarke, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment in Nottinghamshire County Council said: “I understand it has been delayed for quite some time.

“Ultimately, once the lifts are in place it will be great for people with any mobility issues and passengers and users in general as it makes accessibility easier, encouraging people to use the railway.”

Work is due to take place until later this year and is part of the £50m “Access for All” scheme by the Department for Transport, where 12 stations across Britain are benefiting from accessibility measures.

Phil Daniel, Network Rail’s senior portfolio manager, said: “Work on the multi-million pound project is progressing well and we are still expecting that the lifts will be in use by the end of the year.”