Across Northern’s network, a £250k scheme to help transform the railway has been put into place.

The new fund will go towards improving access to stations and services.

A total of 13 successful bids have won up to £50,000 each in funding to create a more accessible railway for all.

The scheme will make accessibility improvements at stations in their area and make services available to anyone who may feel isolated or excluded.

Northern plans to begin by installing way-finding signs for people with visual impairments, specialised maps for people with autism, and days out on the railway for students with special educational needs.

The fund is dedicated to encouraging communities to make decisions that will improve the railway.

It’s a first for the UK rail industry as the successful bids were chosen by the independent Northern Accessibility User Group (NAUG) and supported by Northern.

Locations set to benefit from Northern’s Accessibility Fund include:

• South Yorkshire (stations to be confirmed)
• West Yorkshire (stations to be confirmed)
• Lancashire (stations to be confirmed)
• Ulverston (Cumbria)
• Mouldsworth (Cheshire)
• Cuddington (Cheshire)
• Buxton (Derbyshire)

Further projects will have a focus on station improvements including handrails, automatic doors, and ramps to increase accessibility.

Mark Powles Commercial and Customer Director, at Northern said: “Our customers are the heart of everything we do, and we are dedicated to making Northern’s services accessible to everyone, and to having a positive impact for the north.

“I am happy to announce that 13 bids have been successful, and I would like to thank everyone who got in touch with us with their ideas.

The fund is part of our wider project to transform our network and encourage people to use public transport – no matter their circumstances.”

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