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Moving on up at Aberdyfi Railway Station! 26/11/2008

Following a long campaign to reduce the stepping height between the platform and trains at Aberdyfi railway station the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has confirmed it is to make available funding for an innovative answer to the problem.

Previous bids for funding have not been successful due to a low cost benefit ratio when considering the substantial cost of raising the entire platform compared to the relative low and projected usage of the station.

However the WAG has now identified a new approach that will address issues of accessibility at the station by raising a section of the platform with which the train doors will align when the trains stop at the station.

During his announcement on the issue the Deputy First Minister, Minster for the Economy and Transport Ieuan Wyn Jones AM said, "I visited the station in May this year, where the problem of the stepping distance from the platform to the train was clearly visible.

"This pilot project will reduce the stepping distance with a special structure without a full rebuild and ensure that trains stopping at this station are accessible for all."

Many local organisations and individuals including Aberdyfi Community Council, The Cambrian Coast Line Liaison Conference and Access Groups as well as the Cambrian Railways Partnership (CRP) have lobbied over a number of years to address the accessibility issue at Aberdyfi.

The CRP has worked with the local media since issuing a press release in 2006 to raise awareness of the problem and to encourage others to engage in the lobbying process.

Gerwyn Jones from the CRP commented "This is great news for all those who currently use the station as well as those who previously could not due to the stepping height. A wide range of users will benefit including those with disabilities, families with pushchairs and even the golfers who use the train to visit the nearby golf course!

"The £30,000 made available by the WAG to fund this project is yet another positive example of the ongoing investment in the Cambrian network."

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