Selby rail station refurb makes 'real difference'

Campaigners have welcomed the completion of work to install new passenger lifts at a North Yorkshire town's railway station.

The work means passengers at Selby station who use a wheelchair will no longer have to be taken across the tracks by a member of staff using the station's "barrow crossing".

The work - paid for by the previous Conservative government's Access for All fund - has also seen the station's Grade II listed footbridge strengthened and restored.

Terry French, from Selby and District Rail Users' Group, said: "We have campaigned on this for a long time. It's good to see the work complete and it will make a real difference to passengers."

Anna Weeks, Network Rail's principal programme sponsor, said the new accessible lifts and the reopening of the strengthened footbridge were "fantastic news for all our passengers who use Selby station".

She added that she hoped the lifts and reopened bridge would be particularly welcome "for those with additional access needs who require access to platforms two and three when station staff are unavailable".

"Maintaining the heritage of the Grade II listed footbridge was a key priority of the project, which added some complexities to the work, but we're very pleased we've preserved this important structure for years to come," she said.

Selby's Labour MP Keir Mather said he hoped the finished work, and the improved access for passengers, would encourage people to use the train more often.

"We've got the lifts in place, which are absolutely fantastic, but we also have the ticket office, which has remained open," he said.

"The incredible staff there continue to provide an invaluable service, giving people the help and support to get to where they need to go."

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