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Station hump helps train access Station hump helps train access
(about 11 hours later)
A custom-built hump which helps people with mobility problems in and out of trains is to be unveiled at a rural railway station.A custom-built hump which helps people with mobility problems in and out of trains is to be unveiled at a rural railway station.
Until now, people had to be taken to the nearest station to Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, for access.Until now, people had to be taken to the nearest station to Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, for access.
It cost £70,000 and involves installing a graded hump made of glass-reinforced plastic, which can be adjusted in the factory to suit a particular station.It cost £70,000 and involves installing a graded hump made of glass-reinforced plastic, which can be adjusted in the factory to suit a particular station.
There are also plans for humps at other rural stations in Wales.There are also plans for humps at other rural stations in Wales.
They will be across Anglesey, on the Conwy Valley line, the Heart of Wales line and the Cambrian Coast line.They will be across Anglesey, on the Conwy Valley line, the Heart of Wales line and the Cambrian Coast line.
Passengers with small children and pushchairs, the elderly or those with heavy luggage found getting on and off trains difficult at Aberdyfi Jerry Swift, Network Rail Rail users give their views on the new rail hump
"Many of Wales' stations date back to when the railways were first built 150 years ago," said Economy and Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is also Plaid Cymru leader."Many of Wales' stations date back to when the railways were first built 150 years ago," said Economy and Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is also Plaid Cymru leader.
"In those days there was no single standard design for trains or stations, which has left a legacy of low platforms at mainly rural stations.""In those days there was no single standard design for trains or stations, which has left a legacy of low platforms at mainly rural stations."
He said because of the small number of passengers using rural stations there had been no cost effective solution to the problem.He said because of the small number of passengers using rural stations there had been no cost effective solution to the problem.
"Subject to the success of a major bid for EU convergence funding we intend to roll out a national easier access programme for Wales at selected stations over the next two years," he added."Subject to the success of a major bid for EU convergence funding we intend to roll out a national easier access programme for Wales at selected stations over the next two years," he added.
Modern standardsModern standards
Passengers with small children and pushchairs, the elderly or those with heavy luggage found getting on and off trains difficult at Aberdyfi," said Jerry Swift, Network Rail's head of corporate responsibility.Passengers with small children and pushchairs, the elderly or those with heavy luggage found getting on and off trains difficult at Aberdyfi," said Jerry Swift, Network Rail's head of corporate responsibility.
Ian Bullock, customer services director at Arriva Trains Wales, which runs the train service, said the company was delighted the Welsh Assembly Government had supported the scheme.Ian Bullock, customer services director at Arriva Trains Wales, which runs the train service, said the company was delighted the Welsh Assembly Government had supported the scheme.
"This will will enable access for more passengers at Aberdyfi Station and pending funding confirmation, at many more rural stations across the Arrive Trains Wales network," he added."This will will enable access for more passengers at Aberdyfi Station and pending funding confirmation, at many more rural stations across the Arrive Trains Wales network," he added.
It is known as a 'Harrington hump' after the station in Cumbria, where it made its debut last year.It is known as a 'Harrington hump' after the station in Cumbria, where it made its debut last year.
Normally it would cost at least £250,000 to rebuild one basic platform to bring it up to modern standards.Normally it would cost at least £250,000 to rebuild one basic platform to bring it up to modern standards.