Welcome to Easthampshire.org

EHDC puts £47,500 towards improving disabled access at Alton station

Friday 10th of July 2009

Comments Have your say

Disabled Alton residents will soon find it easier to travel by train thanks to a grant from East Hampshire District Council.

The Council has pledged £47,500 towards a scheme to improve access and facilities for disabled people at Alton Train Station.

The scheme will see the installation of a split-height ticket office to replace the existing window and the provision of accessible toilet facilities for all passengers using the station.

A drop off bay for disabled users will also be constructed near the station entrance.

Alton station has more than a million passengers through it every year and with the proximity of Treloar College, which caters predominantly for special needs students, the town has one of the highest levels of disabled residents per head in the country.  

EHDC's Cabinet agreed to the grant, subject to certain conditions, at its meeting on Wednesday 8 July. Cllr Ken Carter, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Country Towns, said: "This is vital work and we are very happy to be able offer this money and help make it happen. Many disabled people use the rail network regularly, especially through Alton station, so it's absolutely essential that their needs are properly catered for."

The scheme costs around £111,000 in total with £8,000 also contributed by Hampshire County Council. EHDC and HCC's grants will be matched by a Government scheme set up to help train stations meet disability access requirements.

The work is expected to be completed by March 2011.

Other forms of transport were also given a boost at the same meeting as money, taken from developers' contributions, was granted for two bus shelters in Horndean, two more in Headley and new signs for the cycle path from Horndean to Havant.

CONTACT: Alisdair Tweddle, EHDC Project Engineer, 01730 234297