South Leicestershire MP, Alberto Costa, has welcomed new funding given to Narborough train station to improve access for disabled passengers as part of a £20 million Government funding boost for stations across the UK.
The improvements, announced by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, are funded through the Access for All programme and will include new lifts, accessible toilets and customer information screens at stations across the UK.
Narborough was the only station in the East Midlands to receive funding which will be used to improve pedestrian access to the station and car park.
The announcement comes as part of a Government campaign launched recently to improve the journeys of disabled passengers on public transport.
Alberto said, “This funding is a huge boost for disabled passengers and all who use Narborough Train Station, ensuring that everyone has a safe and easy access to our public services is of course imperative, and I am so pleased that Narborough will be able to make some very positive changes as part of this new funding award. My sincere thanks, as ever, to the brilliant FONS group who applied for this funding, they continue to do some excellent work in improving the facilities and services at Narborough and this funding is a testament to their great efforts”.
Mr John Harrison, Chair of the Friends of Narborough Station (FONS) group, added, “We at FONS very much welcome this new funding announcement from the Government. We are delighted to be the only station from the East Midlands to be successful in their application, and we look forward to putting the funds to good use for all who use Narborough Station”.
Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt. Hon Grant Shapps MP, said, “The ability to travel easily from A to B is an essential factor for our day to day lives - but is not the reality for everyone. I recognise that we have much more to do, which is why we’re making 124 train stations across the country more accessible. The 20 million of funding is part of a £300 million package announced last year which is already providing accessible, step free routes at 73 stations across Great Britain, making it easier for disabled people to travel on the UK’s rail network”.
Alberto is pictured above with constituents and local dignitaries at the 50th anniversary celebration of the re-opening of Narborough Train Station earlier this year.
