Paralympian praises station's accessibility upgrade
LDRSParalympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has opened a revamped railway station which she previously called "the hardest part of my journey".
The £14.5m overhaul of Eaglescliffe Station, in Stockton-on-Tees, includes a new bridge between platforms, with three new lifts to improve access, in addition to a new car park with 100 spaces and new indoor spaces.
Previously, some disabled passengers had to use long and indirect routes when changing platforms because the ramp to the old bridge was too steep.
Eleven-time gold medallist Grey-Thompson said: "These improvements make a real difference, helping people travel with confidence, independence and dignity."
The project was mostly funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, with £3.25m from Network Rail and £2m from the Department for Transport, and the new car park was delivered by Stockton Council.
Grey-Thompson, who regularly uses the station to get to London, said stations like Eaglescliffe "have been difficult to navigate for too long".
She told the BBC in 2015: "This shouldn't have to be the hardest part of my journey - it's actually really hard work."
Tees Valley Combined AuthoritySpeaking after the reopening ceremony of the station earlier, she said: "Proper access is absolutely vital if we want a transport network that works for everyone.
"It's a good example of what can be achieved when accessibility is treated as a priority – and I hope to see the improvements rolled out more widely at all stations."
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she thought the facilities were "light years better" and she was looking forward to using the new waiting room.
"The number of times I've been here when it's barely above zero [degrees] and tipping down with rain, you used to bring a hot water bottle because you were so cold and saw everyone shivering on the platform," she said.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen called the project "fantastic", adding: "These improvements remove barriers that should never have existed, making the station more accessible, safer and easier to use for everyone."