Cadoxton station in South Wales now has improved access after the opening of new multi-million-pound passenger lifts and a footbridge.
As a result, those using a wheelchair, pushchair, carrying heavy luggage or with reduced mobility will be able to access both platforms easily as they are now step-free following the completion of the lifts as part of a £3 million upgrade at the station.
The station improvements also include a brand-new waiting shelter on Platform 2, widening the doorways in and out of the ticket office and the installation of tactile paving on the platform edge. A new ramp from the ticket office leading out onto platform one has also been built.
The investment has come directly from the Department for Transport’s ‘Access for All’ programme, which was launched in 2006 to improve accessibility at railway stations nationwide and has benefited from match funding from the Welsh Government.
Bill Kelly, Network Rail’s route director was joined by the Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harri, Jane Hutt Deputy Minister, Alun Cairns MP Vale of Glamorgan and James Price CEO Transport for Wales and Simon Green, chair of Bridgend Coalition of Disabled People and trustee of Disability Wales, who officially opened the lifts on 28 August at a socially distanced official opening ceremony.
At the opening of the improvements, UK Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “These new facilities at Cadoxton will be a fantastic improvement for passengers, giving disabled people increased confidence to travel as more people return to Wales’ railways.
“But there is still more to be done, and the UK government is already making 15 further stations in Wales more accessible as part of our £350 million Access for All scheme.”
James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, added: “I’m pleased that the new facilities at Cadoxton station have now opened for customer use, including the new step free footbridge. It represents a major improvement to the facilities at this busy station, and I’d like to thank TfW and Network Rail colleagues for their hard work in delivering this.
“At Transport for Wales, we’re fully committed to building a fully accessible rail network for Wales and the Borders and improving accessibility at stations is a key part of this. We’re proud to have worked collaboratively with Network Rail on improving the accessibility at Cadoxton, and we’re looking forward to working together to develop more schemes throughout the Wales and Borders network in the years ahead.”
Bill Kelly, Network Rail route director said: “I am delighted as the lifts and footbridge at Cadoxton are a real game changer for passengers who will no longer need to travel to Barry Island to benefit from step free access.
“Step free access benefits not only those with reduced mobility but also passengers with children, heavy luggage or shopping. We are committed to making our railway accessible for passengers and the new lifts are a welcome addition which will enhance the journey experience for many years to come.”