£1.4m Chirk railway station improvements welcomed
Plans to spend £1.4 million on improvements at a railway station on the county border have been welcomed by local councillors.
Campaigners have been battling for years for access improvements at Chirk Railway Station.
Only one side of the track is accessible to the disabled.
The station is scheduled to be brought up to modern standards next year when a new steel footbridge and ramp are put in.
The plans have been lodged with Wrexham County Borough Council planners by Network Rail.
Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has welcomed the news.
Mr Skates said the planned work would "make a massive difference" to commuters in his constituency.
He said: "Campaigners in Clwyd South have long called for improved access for disabled people at Chirk station, which is an important stop on the busy Shrewsbury to Chester line, and – like them – I am hopeful the plans will be approved.
"The footbridge will provide wheelchair access to both sides of the north-south platform for the first time and will make a massive difference to commuters, and could also have a positive effect on tourism in the area with the expected increased footfall.
"Network Rail has submitted the plans, which the Welsh Labour Government has pledged £700,000 towards, and if approved the work is expected to take around six months to complete.
"I would like to congratulate those who have lobbied for this for many years, and I hope their hard work and dedication to improving their town is rewarded."
Planning papers say the new bridge will be painted in a holly green and cream colour scheme.
