Westmorland and Furness Council has welcomed the news that the government’s Access for All programme will fund detailed design work on accessibility upgrades at Ulverston train station.
Ulverston is one of 23 stations across Britain which will have this detailed design work funded with the design phase completed in 2027. Network Rail will now begin to engage with train operators and other local partners to start the work.
This investment will provide detailed plans for a new footbridge with lifts at the station, providing step-free access to Platform 3. The scheme will be supported by a contribution of £400,000 from the Borderlands Place Programme Town Investment Plan for Ulverston for further enhancement works at the station.
The application to the Access for All programme was made by Northern working with local partners.
Councillor John Murray, Cabinet Member for Transport and Regulatory Services, said: "Against challenging criteria, it is great news that our Access for All application for Ulverston station has been successful and will go forward to the detailed design stage. The council and Furness Line Community Rail Partnership thank all the partners involved in this project for all their work in making it happen.”
"The local rail network is a busy and integral part of our transport infrastructure, crucial for both business, work, leisure and tourism. Anything which can be done to meet the challenges associated with a network based on predominantly Victorian infrastructure is to be welcomed and this news brings real hope that this busy station will be accessible for all.
"It is fantastic that a contribution from the Borderland Place Programme can be used to support this vital work which will deliver benefit to the station, the town and the wider rail network."
Tim Owen, chairman of the Furness Line Community Rail Partnership, said: “This very positive news is just reward for the all the local campaigning and hard work that has taken place over a number of years to develop a scheme that will make Ulverston station fully accessible for all.