Greater Anglia bids to improve access at Colchester rail station

Greater Anglia has submitted a bid for funding to help improve access at Colchester rail station.

The company has put in a proposal for Access for All funding - a Government funding programme for schemes to improve station access – to build a new passenger lift that would link the platforms and subway to the main booking hall and car park.

Although there is a lift on the other side of the station, disabled passengers arriving at the main booking hall currently have to use a stairway fitted with a wheelchair stair lift to access the platforms.

The scheme would create entirely step-free access at the station, and, it is estimated, would benefit around 52,000 people a year who require lift facilities because of restricted mobility.

The scheme has support from, Colchester Borough Council, Essex County Council and the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership.

It may be a few months before the outcome of the bid is known, but all parties involved are committed to making the initiatives happen as soon as possible, by pursuing all practical funding avenues.

Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs at Greater Anglia said:

“Combined with the continued growth in the number of rail passengers and the impressive accessibility characteristics of the new trains, there is an even greater impetus from Greater Anglia and the local authorities to try and secure the funding needed to tackle the issue.

“We are committed to improving access at Colchester as soon as possible.”

Cllr Mark Cory, the Leader of Colchester Borough Council, said: “We welcome the opportunity to support Greater Anglia in its bid to improve accessibility at Colchester rail station.

“Colchester Mainline is a major commuter and interchange station serving more than four million passengers a year, so better access to the northside car park and ticket hall will be a huge benefit to those with luggage, prams or bikes, as well as wheelchair users.”