Reed Welcomes Cash Boost Helping Lougborough Railway Station to be More Disabled Friendly

Andy Reed MP has given a warm welcome to the Government announcement showing Loughborough Railway Station is to receive a share of a new £35million per year initiative, aimed at improving access for disabled people.

On Friday 24th March the Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Department of Transport Derek Twigg MP launched the “Railways for All Strategy”. This explains how the rail industry will improve access for disabled people. A key part of the strategy is to improve the accessibility to stations as part of an eight year national programme going through to 2015.

Loughborough Railway Station has been chosen as one of forty seven stations throughout the country that will receive during the next three years substantial funding providing step free and greater accessibility for disabled people.

Reed who is working and campaigning alongside passenger groups including Railfuture stated “this is a tremendous boost for all people in Loughborough, but especially those who are disabled”. He added “as Loughborough Railway Station currently has no disabled access to platforms at which two-thirds of trains call, the new money will allow real improvements to be made”.

In addition he pointed out as well that the step free improvements would make things easier for those with prams and pushchairs. Reed was also quick to praise the staff at Loughborough Railway station describing them as “very accommodating” particularly bearing in mind the current restrictions for disabled people.