Plans to create much-needed disabled access at Hillside Station in Southport have taken a step closer after Network Rail submitted plans for the scheme.

The news was welcomed by Southport MP Damien Moore, who has led a determined campaign for the work to happen.

Mr Moore successfully lobbied the Government for Hillside Station to receive funding through the sixth round of the Depart for Transport’s £300million Access for All programme.

The funding was confirmed in April last year.

Nusrat Ghani, who was Transport Minister at the time, said: “Everyone should be able to access our rail network and I am pleased to announce that Hillside will now become a fully accessible station in the next stage of the programme.

“Damien Moore MP has been campaigning to make Hillside step-free so it is safer for all passengers, especially those with restricted mobility or parents with pushchairs and I’m delighted to be able to announce today that their hard campaigning work has again paid off for the people of Southport.”

Since his election, the Southport MP has consistently been a champion for stations across the constituency to be accessible for all of his constituents and will be continuing with the campaign so that all residents are able to use the rail network in a safe and comfortable manner.

He is pleased to see that Network Rail has now submitted a prior notification application seeking permission to install a lift at the station on Waterloo Road.

The station platforms, which take passengers via the Northern Line to either Southport or Liverpool, are currently only accessible via steep concrete steps on either side of the railway station.

In a letter to Sefton Council, Network Rail town planner Michael Gradwell stated the development will involve “the installation of lifts, link bridge and associated works to facilitate accessibility improvements to both station platforms”.

He continued to explain that under the Railway Clauses Consolidation Act 1845, “prior approval cannot be refused unless you are satisfied that the development ought to be and could reasonably be carried out elsewhere on the land, or the design or external appearance would injure the amenity of the neighbourhood and is reasonable capable of modification so as to avoid such injury”.

Southport MP Damien Moore said: “Our railway stations should not be inaccessible to anyone, whether that is people with disabilities, parents with pushchairs or anyone else.
“Our campaign to secure funding for the new disabled access at Hillside Station was important for so many people to be able to enjoy the ability to utilise our local rail network.

“They include students, parents and staff at local schools including Greenbank High School and Birkdale High School, while many thousands of visitors who arrive Southport via Hillside Station to enjoy local golf courses such as Royal Birkdale and international events such as The Open Golf championship. An inaccessible railway station is a poor advert for Southport.

“I welcome Network Rail submitting its plans to Sefton Council and I look forward to work progressing on this vital scheme.”

'Delighted' to hear progress is being made.....Not only great news for disabled rail-users, but also for prams and local cyclists!

Why put a lift in there is level access to the fence at the side of the platform.