Passengers and staff alike are celebrating as Sandhills station has been named Station of the Year at the National Transport Awards 2011.
Sandhills is one of the ‘busiest and most important stations in Merseyside’, with over 300,000 passengers every year, including those attending football matches at nearby Liverpool and Everton stadiums.
Track, engineering and improvement works totalling £6.7m completely overhauled the station and Neil Scales, Chief Executive of Merseytravel said:
“We are delighted that the work and investment in Sandhills Station has been recognised with this award acknowledging that it is now a fully accessible asset to the network.”
Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel added:
“The upgrade to the station has been a massive success. We are committed to the people of Liverpool and Merseyside, they deserve a first class rail service with stations to match and we are happy that our work to provide top class facilities has been rewarded.”
Sandhills station benefits from a platform level ticket office and booking hall with variable height ticket counters, a fully accessible toilet, new platforms, a new subway, glazed canopies and two fully enclosed and heated waiting rooms offering better protection for waiting passengers.
State of the art CCTV cameras cover every square inch of the station, along with improved lighting throughout. A new DDA compliant ramp and lift provides step free access from street level up to the station platforms.
A new customer announcement system means better information for waiting passengers, as well as an induction loop for people with hearing impairments.
Cycle facilities have also been improved providing greater security and protection from the elements. The station has also been accredited with Secure Station status.
Funded by Merseytravel, the Department for Transport and Network Rail, the revitalised station was opened in January 2009 by Lord Adonis, the then Minister for Transport.
