Start of work to improve access at Marsden rail station welcomed

18 February 2019

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee has welcomed news that work to improve access at Marsden rail station is underway.

Due to be completed by the end of March, the scheme will result in the station's platform 2 being made a consistent height from one end to the other. This will be an improvement for passengers who currently face a large drop between the train and the platform.

Restrictions

Cllr Groves said: "People using Marsden station have been facing access issues and inconvenience, including restrictions on the train doors they can use to board and alight, so I am glad to see this project, which is a start to addressing the stations's access problem, has now started."

"I am also pleased that thanks to extra funding, the whole of the platform is being raised rather than just one section and look forward to further accessibility improvements for passengers being delivered through the upgrade of the Transpennine route."

First step

Gary Godolphin, Secretary for Slaithwaite and Marsden Action on Rail Transport, said: "We welcome the improvements to platform two as a first step towards improving accessibility to all platforms at Marsden station. Slaithwaite and Marsden Action on Rail Transport hope that the forthcoming Transpennine Route Upgrade will provide full disabled access to all platforms enabling everyone to use the station safely".

While Network Rail carries out the work, trains that currently use platform 2 will use platform 3.

Rob McIntosh, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, said: "Passengers using Marsden station will soon be able to enjoy a more comfortable experience as platform two is raised, making it more accessible for many users.

"We are delighted to be able to carry out this upgrade thanks to the extra funding and this project will mean we can continue to provide a railway which meets the needs of the communities and economies we serve both now and in years to come."

Enhancements

Rail Minister Andrew Jones said: "Transport accessibility is vitally important, so I am pleased that passengers using Marsden station will soon find it easier to get on and off trains as part of Network Rail's £15million enhancements package."

"The Government is investing a record £48bn to modernise our railways, and we are working with Transport for the North and Richard George to drive forward improved performance across the northern network - focused on delivering more reliable, frequent and punctual services."

The £15 million enhancements package that will enable the raising of the platform to go ahead was announced by the Rail Minister, Andrew Jones MP late last year. It is being delivered by Network Rail, Northern and TransPennine Express at stations across the north of England.

Safety and comfort

Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, said: "The safety and comfort of our customers is of paramount importance and so we are pleased that work to raise the height of platform two is now underway."

A Northern spokesperson said: "This project is excellent news for customers of Marsden station. This is in addition to the ongoing work Northern is undertaking to modernise our network that includes new and updated trains, more services and better stations."