Platform for change at train station

PLANS . . . Greenfield Station

OLDHAM Council is stepping up its fight to get improved disabled access at Greenfield railway station.

Network Rail is planning to replace the pedestrian bridge and lift the highway bridge as part of works to electrify the Manchester-Huddersfield railway line.

The eastbound platform at Greenfield currently has no disabled access, and the council wants to include this in the plans. The Department for Transport recently confirmed the station isn’t among stations nominated for access improvements.

Council leader Jim McMahon and chief executive Carolyn Wilkins have now written to Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth and senior parliamentary figures to ask for the project to be funded.

Councillor McMahon said: “Network Rail says the cost of providing lifts would be around half to three quarters of a million pounds. Oldham Council’s view is that not providing the lifts now is a false economy - costs could be reduced by carrying out the entire project at the same time. Greenfield is a busy station and needs to be accessible to all.”