BARNT Green railway station will finally be accessible to all passengers after Network Rail confirmed residents will get letters through their door ‘in the coming weeks’ announcing work would begin on installing three lifts.
But a disabled rail user who got stuck at the station over four years ago has questioned why the crucial work has taken so long to be scheduled.
The new lifts will provide passengers with step-free access to all platforms at the rail station.
Network Rail had previously told the Standard it expected the lifts to be ready to use by summer 2024.
The firm said although construction dates had yet to be finalised Barnt Green residents and passengers would be notified about the work within weeks.
It added plenty of notice would be given before work began.
The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act made it a legal obligation to make all forms of public transport accessible to all.
In 2017, the Bromsgrove Rail User Group (BRUG) accused Network Rail of being in breach of the act after announcing the plans to install lifts at Barnt Green Station had been put on hold.
At the time, Network Rail said in the short term the Bromsgrove electrification project couldn’t bear the costs to create fully compliant level access on all platforms.
Two years later, wheelchair user Dylan Cummings told the Standard he felt embarrassed having to sit down to shuffle up and down stairs to cross the footbridge at the station to get to his intended platform.
The 25-year-old, who missed trains in the process, said: “I’m pleased the work will finally be completed, it’s a step in the right direction and will be incredibly beneficial to those with disabilities and mobility issues.
“But why has it taken so long to be completed – nevertheless, at least it’s being done.”
