New lift agreed at Walkden Station under ‘Access for All’

This week Bolton South and Walkden MP Yasmin Qureshi met Network Rail engineers at Walkden Station together with Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor Paul Dennett.

With other councillors they discussed the works being done at the station under the “Access for All” programme, which aims to improve accessibility for disabled people and others.

Mr Dennett said: “I’m pleased to say that the proposal to provide a new lift for the station has been agreed.

“Unfortunately, the presence of historic mineshafts in the area mean a number of structural surveys, ecological, drainage and ground investigations are required, and this has slowed down the project somewhat.

A new lift has been agreed at Walkden Station (Image: Office of Paul Dennett)

“Local people who rely on step-free access deserve a reliable railway service, and accessibility should never be treated as an afterthought.”

Along with Ms Qureshi and Mr Dennett, the meeting was attended by Cllr Tony Davies, of Little Hulton and Cllr Hilaria Asumu, of Walkden South.

Mr Dennett said he and his colleagues would work with rail operators to ensure the work is completed within a reasonable timeframe, and that residents are kept abreast of developments.

Back in August last year Ms Qureshi had written to transport secretary Heidi Alexander MP calling for Walkden station to be made more accessible.

In her letter, she said: “Walkden has been waiting far too long for step-free access.

“The station was awarded funding through the Government’s Access for All programme back in 2020, yet more than three years later, no visible progress has been made.

“This is completely unacceptable.

“I have spoken to many local passengers who rely on accessible transport, and the frustration is clear.

“Delays like this continue to exclude people with mobility issues, parents with pushchairs, older passengers, and anyone who needs easier access to our rail services.

“Accessibility is not a luxury, it is a right.”

She added: “I will continue to hold the government to account.

“We will not accept vague promises or endless delays.

“Walkden Station deserves step-free access and the passengers who rely on it deserve to be treated fairly and equally.”