Chatham Train Station is amongst the forty-two train stations in England, Scotland and Wales that will receive a share of a £100 million government fund to improve access for disabled passengers, it was announced today.  

The stations will benefit from improved access as part of the Access for All scheme. Previous work under the scheme has included improvements such as new ramps, lifts or tactile paving.

Tracey said:

“Today’s announcement is great news for my constituents and I am delighted that Chatham station will benefit from this funding to help improve accessibility for its users. Better accessibility will mean a better experience for people with reduced mobility, carrying heavy luggage or travelling with children and will help encourage disabled people to live more mobile lives. I look forward to seeing the future improvement plans for the station.”

Detailed designs and costing for each station will be drawn up by Network Rail in due course, and the projects will be completed by 2019.

The stations were nominated by the rail industry and selected for funding according to passenger numbers, the needs of the local area and proximity to facilities such as hospitals or schools for disabled children.

A total of £460 million has been invested in improving access to our railways since 2006. In addition to the 42 stations announced today, the Access For All scheme will have delivered step-free routes at more than 150 other stations by 2015, while a further 1,100 stations have already benefited from smaller-scale improvements. The rail industry is also required to make access improvements in line with line with EU and UK standards whenever they carry out infrastructure works at stations.

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