Press release from South Ribble Borough Council;
THE latest developments at Leyland Railway Station have been heralded as a significant step.
South Ribble Borough Council Leader, Councillor Margaret Smith, who has campaigned for improvements to the station for many years, said ongoing work to create a new ticket office is an essential part of making the station fit for the 21st Century.
Network Rail say the new ticket office is expected to be completed in February.
South Ribble Borough Council has worked with Network Rail, Northern Rail and Lancashire County Council to bring some smaller improvements to facilities at the station in recent years.
Councillor Smith vowed to continue her efforts to lobby for further upgrades to the station, in particular around access to the middle platforms.
It is hoped that the next stages of development will come to fruition with money from the Department of Transport’s Access for All programme.
Leyland Railway Station has been nominated for the next round of funding by Network Rail and Northern Rail, with a decision expected by summer.
This funding would facilitate the installation of a new footbridge and a lift for wheelchair users, people with prams and those with limited mobility.
Councillor Margaret Smith, Leader of South Ribble Borough Council, said: “The need to improve Leyland Railway Station has been a priority for us for a long time, so I am pleased that work to complete the new ticket office is on track to be finished next month.
“We’ve already seen the installation of new waiting shelters and real-time information boards as part of the wider project to upgrade the station, but there is still some way to go before all of the improvements are completed.
“I would like to thank Network Rail and Northern Rail for their continued support with the project and this latest development shows that progress is being made. I would also like to thank the community in Leyland who have shown tremendous support for getting a station that is fit for purpose.”