A milestone has been reached in the £5 million project to improve accessibility at Port Glasgow Train Station with a ramp at the Princes Street entrance now complete.
Network Rail and principal contractor Story began work to create step-free access at the station in February. Deemed a crucial part of the work, the ramped access also comes with modern railings, new lighting, and a CCTV system.
(Network Rail)
The project is funded by the Access for All (AfA) scheme, with contributions from Inverclyde Council. The initiative will also see a new footbridge and lifts installed at the station, with the design aimed to make it
Councillor Cassidy, vice-convener of environment and regeneration for Inverclyde Council accompanied Tommy Rodger and Anne Ross from Port Glasgow West Community Council came to site to mark the completion of the ramp.
Laura Craig, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said, “We are delighted to welcome councillor Cassidy, Tommy, and Anne to site and provide an opportunity to see the progress the team has made. Once the project is complete it will be a great boost to the community and so it is great to have the support from Inverclyde council and the backing of the community council.”
Councillor Cassidy, vice-convener of environment and regeneration for Inverclyde Council, added, “What a difference to Port Glasgow station already with a modern and welcoming new main entrance and, most importantly, step-free access for people with mobility issues, those with prams, and passengers travelling with luggage.
“And there’s more to come with the new bridge and lifts which will make Port Glasgow station, one of our busiest stations, one of the best and most modern in Inverclyde. This project is one that we, as a council, are delighted to support and I look forward to seeing the next stages of the development.”
Tommy Rodger, secretary for Port Glasgow West Community Council, said, “The difference to the Princes Street entrance is fantastic. You can already see a lot of passengers with bikes, buggies and cases choosing to use the ramp.
“We are really looking forward to the next milestone of the bridge arriving and when the lifts are ready it will make it so much easier for many people to move freely around the station. The community council has been vocal in wanting the station to be made more accessible for many years, so we are very happy with the progress so far and what is still to come.”
