Passengers at Barry Station are set for an accessibility upgrade coming via Network Rail’s construction of brand-new station facilities, opened on Friday 22nd July in time for the summer holidays.
These renovative upgrade works come as part of a multi-million-pound project with ambitions of passenger improvements, especially those with reduced mobility, carrying heavy luggage or with pushchairs.
A step-free option between platforms 1,2 and 3 has been installed for the first time, with the brand-new footbridge being accompanied with the installation of brand-new lifts, enabling better passage through one of the busiest stations in Wales.
The project was implemented with the use of funding secured by the Department for Transport and Welsh Government under the ‘Access for All’ scheme, with hopes that the £3.3m renovations will encourage public transport usage, especially to boost post pandemic recovery. This scheme was also used to upgrade the Cadoxton Station in 2020.
Nick Millington, acting route director, Network Rail Wales and Borders said:
“We’re thrilled to be able to open this footbridge and lifts for passengers at Barry station, this morning, in time for the school summer holidays.
“We know from speaking to people in Barry that having a step-free access option at their local station will be life-changing, when travelling for work and leisure.
“We are committed to making our railway across Wales and Borders accessible for everyone to make their journeys easier, safer and more enjoyable for many years to come.”
Faye Harding, from New Horizons Day Service in the Vale of Glamorgan, which supports adults with physical disabilities between the ages of 18 & 65, said:
“I am so pleased to see that this new bridge and lifts are now open.
“It will make a massive difference to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility by giving them back their independence and allowing them to choose where they want to go.
“I know many of our service users have been waiting a long time for this and it’s fantastic that we now have this facility here in our local town of Barry.”
Barry Station’s lift and footbridge were originally scheduled for operation in August, however Network Rail and the works contractors worked tirelessly to ensure the station would be ready for the busy summer holidays ahead.
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