Twenty five brand new waiting shelters are being installed across the Wales and Borders network as part of Transport for Wales’ on-going investment in station improvements.
The fully accessible shelters will replace a number of old metal and brick ones across the network, with feedback from customers playing a key role in helping to guide TfW’s work in this area.
The first phases of the project have already been completed at Deganwy, Llanfairpwll, Penrhyndeudraeth, Rhosneigr, Penmaenmawr, Clunderwen and Johnston.
Work is due to start shortly at Milford Haven, Tondu and Whitland, Ruabon, Frodsham, Nantwich, Ty Croes, Leominster, Llandrindod and Lydney and is set to be completed by the spring.
Passenger Matthew Marchant, 28, from Pembrokeshire, had previously been unable to get his wheelchair into the shelter at Johnston station because of a raised concrete lip on the floor.
He raised this issue with TfW staff and the shelter has now been replaced with a fully accessible one.
Matthew said: “I was over the moon with the new waiting shelter at Johnston.
“The old one was on a raised bit of concrete so it was almost impossible to get my wheelchair in there, which wasn’t ideal in the rain.
“I suggested Transport for Wales do something about it and I’m really grateful they took my suggestion onboard to help make Johnston much more welcoming and accessible for rail users.
“And it’s great to see other shelters in the area being upgraded too.”
The work has been carried out with support from Network Rail, who own the majority of stations on the Wales and Borders network.
TfW’s senior project manager Catherine Sweeney said: “We’re committed to improving the passenger experience for people right across the network and we know for many people that starts with the waiting shelter on the platform.
“We had a number of older shelters which had become damaged over time and were not accessible for people with reduced mobility and these were our priority to replace first.
“We work closely with our station adopters, community rail groups and other local stakeholders and we’ve been delighted to hear such positive feedback about the new shelters.”
For more information about TfW’s work in communities visit www.tfw.wales
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