PASSENGERS at Northallerton station will soon benefit from a package of upgrades to improve accessibility and bring more reliable journeys.

An Access for All scheme, funded by Department for Transport, will see Network Rail install lifts on both platforms.

This will make it easier for passengers with limited mobility, pushchairs, luggage or bicycles to move between the station’s two platforms.

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Key work on this scheme will take place over the weekend of February 5, when the ramp in the subway is replaced by stairs.

The subway will be closed whilst the work takes place, so passengers should use the the relevant drop-off point for their platform.

Work to install lifts at the station will be completed by March 31.

This means that between February 7 and March 31, there will be no step-free access between platforms.

Again, passengers are urged to use the drop-off point for the platform which their train calls at.

To minimise disruption to passengers, a section of this work is being delivered while there are no trains calling at Northallerton station.

Over the weekends of January 29, February 5 and 12 February, Network Rail will replace over three kilometres of track between York and Newcastle – refreshing the rails, sleepers and supporting stones – to boost reliability.

Limited services and rail replacement buses will be available between York and Newcastle during this time.

Passengers travelling to or from Northallerton station are being asked to plan their journey in advance using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner and to arrive at Platform 1 for rail replacement buses.

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Neil Henry, East Coast operations director for Network Rail, said: “We’re doing this work across a few weekends to keep the railway open for passengers, including key workers, through the week – and we’re packing in additional work to minimise future disruption.

"When complete, this vital section of the East Coast Main Line will see fewer delays, helping to provide better journeys along the whole route.”

A spokesperson for train operators on the East Coast Main Line, said: “Passengers planning to travel over these three weekends should plan their journey in advance through their train operator’s website or via National Rail Enquiries.

"The improved track will allow us to run trains more reliably, helping passengers get to where they need to be, on time.”

 

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