Stockton North MP, Alex Cunningham, has pressed Network Rail to get on and deliver the promised step-free access to Billingham Station .
Writing to Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of Network Rail, Alex has asked if the timeframes – currently between Autumn/Winter 2022 and Spring 2023 – for improvements to Billingham Station can be brought forward. Billingham is the only station in the Tees Valley without some form of step-free access.
After lobbying by Alex, Billingham was announced as a recipient of the next wave of Access for All scheme funding in February 2020. Funding is also coming from Stockton Council and the Combined Authority.
Alex said:
“For too long people in Billingham with mobility issues, bikes, and pushchairs, have been forced to travel further to get the train. I was delighted when, after extensive lobbying, the Government announced that Billingham would receive funding for step-free improvements.
“However I do have concerns with the length of time it will take to bring these improvements to Billingham. I understand that Network Rail have been focused on ‘safety critical’ work during the pandemic, but I do hope that they can review their process and bring the work forward.”
The Access for All scheme is a Government fund, administered by Network Rail. Alex was hoping to ask the Transport Secretary about the scheme at Transport Questions today (28 Jan) and will now submit a Written Parliamentary Question about this.
