Guest article from the Chester Shrewsbury Rail Partnership
In a statement issued by the Chester Shrewsbury Rail Partnership, Cllr David A Bithell Chair of the Group expressed the Partnership’s disappointment on the news that Ruabon Station had again failed to secure disabled access funding.
The Access for All Mid-Tier scheme saw Welsh Government nominate a number of stations, supported by match funding to the Department for Transport (DfT). Considerable local support for Ruabon is available and passenger numbers at this station continue to rise with a 7.3% increase recorded for 2019. The schemes selected by the DfT were lift additions at Neath, Grangetown, Pontypool & New Inn and Llantwit Major.
Cllr Bithell commented, ‘whilst we are naturally very disappointed that passengers will not benefit from this scheme we are fully supportive of the news from the Minister for Transport and the Economy, Ken Skates that he has asked Transport for Wales to urgently consider progressing step free access at the stations that were unsuccessful through their own direct investment using the matched funding that was offered to the UK Government.’
He continued, ‘Ruabon is a busy station with two flights of stairs that passengers have to use to access the Chester platform. It is the only station on our line that fails to meet the passengers needs. It is in an area of strong housing and retail growth and is the rail/bus gateway access for Llangollen and the World Heritage site at Pontcysyllte.
We will continue to offer our help and support to ensure this project is delivered’.
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