Users of Spalding Station who have mobility issues will be able to reach its second platform for the first time in four years after plans for new lifts were passed.
Currently a footbridge built in 1848 reached by steps is the only way to access platform two of the Grade II listed building.
A previous ‘barrow’ crossing over the tracks to reach platform two has been unavailable due to safety reasons since 2014.
As there’s no alternative to the current steps and bridge, for the last four years the majority of trains have been made to go to platform one, no matter what direction they’ve arrived from.
Network Rail says as part of the application that it “needs more flexibility over the use of platform two with the introduction of a new timetable in 2019/20”.
The brick lift shafts will be built adjacent to the existing stairwells and connected by new sections of bridge.
The idea behind the design for the setting of the lifts is to look as natural to the frontage of the historic station as possible.
Other options looked at, but discarded, included long ramps and an entirely new bridge.
George Scott, of the Spalding and Peterborough Transport Forum, said it was hoped the lifts will be completed by August next year.
“It’s about time,” he continued. “The station’s not been meeting criteria for the disabled since the barrow crossing’s closure.
“That’s meant most trains having to go to platform one, but there’s still two trains from Peterborough that have to use platform two and nine times out of 10 there’s no-one at the station to help anyone across the line who couldn’t use the steps to the bridge.
“The first plans that Network Rail came forward with didn’t work, but we’ve had meetings with them and MP John Hayes and are happy with this solution.
“There will be security cameras and they will be locked at night.
“It hopefully opens-up more opportunities to develop other parts of the station.”
The Spalding and Peterborough Transport Forum was set up to improve the station and railways and George says he would love more people to get on board.
The board has just announced the guest speaker for its Annual General Meeting on December 6 will be
Andy Savage, the executive director of the Railway Heritage Trust.
The event starts at 7pm in the South Holland District Council chamber.
George said: “Everybody is welcome and we need community support.
“Without that nobody is going to listen to us and how we’d like to improve and maintain the station.
“We want to do something with all the boarded up windows and keep the area looking nice as it’s important to make a good first impression of Spalding.”
In its 19th century heyday the station had seven platforms and a goods yard.
