MP puts pressure on Government over Whitchurch Station

Helen Morgan MP has called for action <i>(Image: Supplied)</i>
Helen Morgan MP has called for action (Image: Supplied)
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An MP is urging the Government to address the lack of step-free access at Whitchurch station.

Helen Morgan MP has called for the Government to prove its commitment to improving public transport by addressing the issue.

The Labour Government put the scheme on hold after taking power last year, despite Network Rail having already designed plans for a new lift.

The lift plans were due to progress under the Access for All Scheme. 

Ms Morgan has long campaigned for this problem to be fixed she received confirmation in early 2024 from the then Rail Minister Huw Merriman that the project would go ahead, but this was subsequently paused.

Since the scheme was paused, Ms Morgan has submitted parliamentary questions to the Department of Transport, urged Ministers in the chamber to act on multiple occasions, and met with current Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy to try and sort the issue. 

This week, she again pressed the Government to install a lift in Whitchurch, saying that money spent on design and feasibility work was going to waste due to the delay.

Ms Morgan twice intervened in a debate on transport accessibility to urge the Government to act.

Assistant Whip Kate Dearden then promised an announcement would be made in the next few months. 

As it stands, anyone wishing to travel southbound from Whitchurch must either use 44 steps or travel northbound to Wrenbury or Nantwich first before changing over.

To access Whitchurch station from trains heading towards Shrewsbury, passengers must travel to Prees and then head back northbound.

Ms Morgan said: "The people of Whitchurch need action now.

"It is unacceptable that the station is still not accessible, and it is unacceptable that the Labour Government has not committed to sorting it out.

"The designs are in place, money has been spent, we just need Ministers to prove they are serious about improving public transport and approve construction.

"North Shropshire has some of the worst transport links in the country and too many people are isolated and missing out on important opportunities as a result." 

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