As part of the Department for Transport’s ‘Access for All’ programme, a range of new multi-million-pound developments have been done at Cadoxton station in south Wales to improve accessibility for passengers.
Any passenger visiting the station, whether they’re a wheelchair user or have heavy luggage, will now be able to access both platforms more easily as they are now step-free following the completion of the lifts as part of a £3m upgrade at the station.
The station developments also include a new waiting shelter on platform two, widening the doorways in and out of the ticket office and the installation of tactile paving on the platform edge. A new ramp has also been constructed leading out of the ticket office onto platform one.
The investment came directly from the programme, which was launched in 2006, and has benefited from match funding from the Welsh Government.
Rail Accessibility 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.”
UK Government Minister for Wales David TC Davies said: “The accessibility improvements at Cadoxton train station demonstrate the UK Government’s commitment to building a bigger, better railway for Wales.
“Accessible stations will open up routes to more passengers across the country, empowering people to travel independently and helping us to make inaccessible transport a thing of the past.”
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.”
James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said: “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.”
Image: Network Rail
