Beeston: New lifts to be installed at railway station

Passengers have been told to allow an extra seven minutes to get between platforms

Work has started on a multi-million pound project to improve accessibility at Beeston railway station.

Network Rail said two new lifts would be installed to provide step-free access to platforms one and two.

The existing stairs on platform one will be replaced with new stairs as part of the Meadow Road flyover.

But passengers are being warned getting between platforms will take an extra seven minutes during the work, which is due to run until autumn.

The project is part of the Department for Transport's "Access for All" scheme, the latest phase of which has seen £50m allocated to improve accessibility at 12 stations.

Gary Walsh, route director for Network Rail East Midlands, said: "This project is vital in improving the experience of passengers as they travel by train, and it's great to see work beginning at Beeston.

"Engineers will be working to install two new lifts, providing unobstructed step-free access to all passengers for the first time in the station's history.

"We'll make sure that disruption to passengers is minimal as we complete the work and look forward to delivering a station which better serves the local community towards the end of this year."

The Grade II listed station dates back to 1847.