THE last station Teesside without disabled access is one step closer to becoming wheelchair-friendly as government funding has been announced.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen's pledge to introduce disabled access at Billingham Station has moved a step forward after the government announced it would fund work.

The enhancements announced by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps are funded through the Access for All programme, which will be used to provide a range of enhancements across UK stations including new lifts, accessible toilets and customer information screens.

Last year, Mayor Houchen announced a £1million investment in Billingham Station to help introduce disabled access, as well as the submission of a bid to the Government's Access for All scheme for the remaining cash needed.

Mayor Houchen said: "Everyone deserves access to good, efficient, reliable public transport, whatever their circumstances, and thanks to this funding, we can make sure every station across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool has disabled access.

"I want to see businesses in my region grow, invest and create jobs for local people, but that only works if local people have access to them. These improvements mean people in Billingham who previously couldn’t use the station, or had difficulty doing so, won't be left behind.

"Already this year I've announced a host of new flights from our airport, we've made significant steps forward with our plans to transform Darlington Station, and we've announced funding for a range of transport projects including increasing capacity at Hartlepool Station, improvements to Eaglescliffe Station, and we are pushing government to back a new Tees crossing.

"I am making sure local people can get around the region and beyond as easily and quickly as possible , and this funding is the latest step to address our day to day transport networks that have a direct and clear impact on people's lives'"

Billingham Station has enjoyed a 14 per cent increase in use over the past five years. It was built in the 1960s to replace an older facility.

Last month, Mayor Houchen signed off almost £40million for a number of transport projects, including railway station redevelopment, as well as schemes to improve bus services, cycling and walking and access to employment.

Capacity improvements at Hartlepool Station, the creation of an Eaglescliffe Western Station Gateway and plans to redevelop Teesside International Airport station will all be funded by Mayor Houchen.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "The ability to travel easily from A to B is an essential factor for our day to day lives – but is not the reality for everyone.

"I recognise that we have much more to do, which is why we’re making 124 train stations across the country more accessible."

"This is just the start of a much more ambitious agenda. My goal is to go much further in the years ahead to help ensure that our country’s transport system becomes one of the most accessible in the world."

Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said: "Everyone using our rail network deserves platforms and toilets they can use and this £20 million investment to improve 124 railway stations across the country will make a huge difference to disabled people.

"This government is committed to levelling up the playing field and later this year we’ll launch a national strategy which will ensure disabled people have equal access to all spheres of life."