Information on Loughborough

HERITAGE RAILWAY STATION FINALLY GETS A PASSENGER LIFT

Posted on 09/04/09
newsdesk

Grant aid from The Veolia Environmental Trust will transform visitors experience of Great Central Railway.

Things are going up for the award winning Great Central Railway. Its main station at Loughborough Central is finally getting a passenger lift after a generous 20,000 grant awarded by The Veolia Environmental Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Visitors to Loughborough Central station will soon be able to choose to take the lift to the platform from the booking hall, rather than be faced with the steep flight of steps. The lift will finally mean visitors who need wheeled access can arrive at the heritage railways front door, without a long diversion along busy roads to the back gate.

In addition to the lift, a wheeled access toilet is being installed and the ladies toilets will be overhauled and a baby change facility added.

Bill Ford, president of the Great Central Railway said "The grant from The Veolia Environmental Trust/ or The Trust is crucial to transforming access to our main station Loughborough Central. Flat access wasnt high on the list of priorities for Victorian designers so Im delighted this part of the railway is moving into the twenty first century! It will make us a much more inclusive attraction. Its about time we were able to offer access for people who use wheelchairs or who have young children in pushchairs. Were extremely grateful to the Trust for their support."

The station was opened in 1899. A lift wasnt provided until the 1950s and even then it was only for parcels. It was taken out in the late 60s before the railway was preserved by enthusiasts. The new lift will fit into the old goods lift shaft.