Major Accessibility Upgrades Completed at Llanelli Railway Station
Llanelli railway station has officially opened its new accessibility upgrades, marking a major step forward in creating a more inclusive and modern travel hub for all passengers. The £6.3 million project, funded through the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme, was delivered in partnership with Network Rail, Transport for Wales, and the Welsh Government, and celebrated at a community event attended by local leaders, rail partners, and residents.
The improvements include a new fully accessible footbridge with lifts, the removal of the old footbridge, improved ramped access on Platform 1 reducing reliance on the level crossing, upgraded CCTV, public address systems and lighting, new tactile paving along platform edges, and enhanced emergency egress points. These enhancements aim to make journeys safer and more convenient for disabled passengers and anyone travelling with luggage, wheelchairs, prams, or other access needs.
Kevin Collins, Project Director for Network Rail’s Wales and Western region, said,
“We’re delighted to unveil these fantastic new lifts and the footbridge for passengers in Llanelli - improvements that have made the station more welcoming and significantly more accessible for everyone who uses it. I want to extend a big thank you to the residents of Llanelli for their patience and support while this work was carried out, and to our contractors AmcoGiffen and all our partners for delivering the project safely and professionally. These new facilities are designed to make travelling easier and safer for all and we hope they make a real, positive difference to passengers' journeys.”
Adrian Carrington, Head of Station Infrastructure at Transport for Wales, said,
“Llanelli is an important station to the Wales and Borders network and serves up to 400,000 passengers a year. The introduction of a new access for all bridge and lift facilities will enhance accessibility, along with the opportunities for Llanelli and the surrounding communities. Our Accessibility Panel continues to play an invaluable role in shaping our understanding of passengers' needs, and I’m pleased to see their important work remain central to TfW’s decision-making process. TfW remains committed to working collaboratively with Network Rail, Great Western Railway (GWR) and other partners to improve services along the South Wales Mainline and we’re looking forward to welcoming passengers to experience the new accessible facilities at Llanelli Station.”
Dame Nia Griffith MP added,
“I am delighted to celebrate the investment in Access for All at Llanelli Station. It’s so important we now have lifts, which means that people with disabilities, parents with pushchairs and passengers with heavy luggage can access both platforms without having to trek around the level crossing. Many thanks to Network Rail and Transport for Wales for their work to make this happen. I am now keen to see Llanelli benefit from further improvements to train services as the plans for the Swansea Bay Metro project take shape.”
Amanda Say, speaking on behalf of the TfW Accessibility and Inclusion Panel, said,
“I’m pleased that the Accessibility and Inclusion Panel have been involved with this project since the planning stage, right through to the opening, today. It has made the station much safer by eliminating the need to use a level crossing to travel between platforms. This will greatly benefit all passengers, especially people with disabilities. Thank you again to everyone involved and for the ongoing commitment to improving accessibility across the Wales and Borders railway.”
Image: Network Rail