Work to make Menston Railway Station fully accessible is expected to start within a matter of weeks, Shipley MP Philip Davies has been told by Government.
The busy two platform station has no lifts or way for a disabled passenger to get from one side to the other, posing problems if someone were to drive and park in one of the multiple disabled bays at the station.
The plan is to reconfigure the existing bridge, realign the stairs and install two 11-metre high, stone-faced lift towers alongside the bridge, one on each platform.
Mr Davies campaigned for the station to be given government funding under the Access For All scheme. Last night in a Parliamentary written answer to Mr Davies, Transport Minister Huw Merriman said Network Rail expect work to begin in late March and be completed by the end of February 2025.
Mr Davies said: “I am pleased we now confirmation of a time scale for this vital project. I have constantly been raising this matter with officials at the Department for Transport and Network Rail as it is much needed and has been too slow in making progress.
“This will make a really difference to my constituents, many of whom struggle to use the station. Once these upgrade works are completed it will mean disabled people, or those with prams and buggies will have the same access to travel as everyone else and will end the ridiculous situation whereby both platforms are accessible but linked via a footbridge.”
Over the years Mr Davies has raised the issue with many transport ministers and also led a debate in Westminster Hall on the issue.
