At Barry Station, Network Rail has opened new facilities which were put in to make the station more accessible. The facilities were opened ahead of time yesterday on the 22nd of July.
Those with reduced mobility, push chairs or heavy luggage now have a step free option to move across the stations thanks to the multi-million pound project.
The project included the installation of lifts and a new footbridge to aid people using trains in south Wales.
This access project was funded by the Department for Transport and Welsh Government as part of the ‘Access for All' scheme.
Another Access for all project was carried out at Cadoxton Station in 2020, which involved similar upgrades.
The lift and footbridge were originally planned to open in August, but contractors, Centregreat Rail, and Network Rail worked around the clock to get the facilities open in time for the summer holidays.
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.”
Jane Hutt, MS for the Vale of Glamorgan said: “It is brilliant that the new lifts are open in time for everyone to be able to use the station over the school holidays!
“These upgrades are so important for everyone to be able to access our stations and it is wonderful that that these have been completed ahead of schedule.”
Alun Cairns, MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, said: “It is fantastic to see the new accessible facilities open in time for the school holidays, giving passengers more flexibility and independence to travel by train over the summer.
“This investment in Barry's local transport infrastructure follows on from the Cadoxton Station upgrades in 2020 and I know they are going to make a huge difference to the local community and tourists.”
Dr Robert Gravelle, Accessibility and Inclusion Manager for Transport for Wales, said: “At Transport for Wales, we're fully committed to building an accessible rail network for Wales and the Borders and improving accessibility at stations is a key part of this. We're delighted to have worked with Network Rail to deliver this vital new footbridge at Barry, which will significantly improve accessibility at a key station on our network.
“We're grateful for the guidance and support from our Accessibility and Inclusion Panel, who contributed their feedback during the design process. We're looking forward to working together to develop more schemes throughout the network in the years ahead as part of the Access for All scheme.”
