Access plans for Wrexham station unveiled

Passengers using Wrexham station will soon benefit from a new footbridge, complete with a lift, making access between the station entrance, ticket office and platforms much easier for everyone, particularly people with reduced mobility.

The plan was unveiled by Network Rail at a public exhibition to generate support for the improvements to be made. The £1.6m improvement plan is part of the national ‘Access for All’ scheme, backed by the Department for Transport, that aims to provide step-free access to around 145 stations in England, Wales and Scotland.

The new footbridge and lift are also designed to provide passengers with a safe and secure environment. The plans show they are well-lit and equipped with close-circuit televisions and telephones. The station platforms will also be refurbished with tactile paving.

Mark Langman, area general manager for Wales, Network Rail, said: “Britain relies on rail so it’s vital that we provide facilities which make the railway easier to use, safer and more accessible for everyone. Whether you’re lugging heavy bags, have small children in tow or simply find the stairs a bit of a struggle, the improvements being to be made at Wrexham will make a real difference to passengers. We know modern stations with easy access are important to passengers in Wales and we will continue work hard to achieve even more successes for them.”

Mike Bagshaw, Commercial Director for Arriva Trains Wales said: “The new footbridge and lift at Wrexham station will offer passengers step free access and will provide a step forward in meeting the needs of passengers with impaired mobility as well as those travelling to and from Wrexham with heavy luggage and small children. The creation of step free access is part of our wider plan to improve access to our trains and stations. As an organisation we will continue to work with our industry partners to improve the journey experience even further.”

Wrexham station was opened in 1846 and today, it serves more than half a million passengers on average each year. As the existing footbridge does not have step-free access, passengers with reduced mobility currently have to get to platforms via a road bridge over the station.