Following years of campaigning for better access to the platforms at Handforth Station the draft plans have now been confirmed.
The Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS), which were established in 1996, recognised from the start that the flights of 35 steps leading down to each of the platforms were a formidable barrier to rail travel so founding member Mike Bishop began a campaign to provide alternative means of access.
His campaign gained support from many, including from members of Handforth Town Council and local MPs, reaching a successful conclusion in April 2019 with the award of a grant (then estimated at around £2 million) under the Government's Access for All scheme.
The past five years have seen detailed surveys conducted at the station, the drilling of exploratory boreholes next to the northbound platform, the months-long deactivation of a high voltage electricity cable on the southbound side of the station, and more.
Finally, on Wednesday 11th September, officers of FoHS attended an update meeting chaired by Rory Kingdon, Senior Sponsor with Network Rail, who presented a draft plan for the lift installation at Handforth station.
This illustrated that new elevated lift access walkways will be constructed as side branches from the existing walkways that lead to the platform staircases. Due to space constraints imposed by the site, the lift on the northbound platform will be slightly smaller (capacity 13 persons standing) than lift 1 on the southbound platform (capacity 16 persons). New footpaths at platform level will provide access routes between the platforms and the lifts.
The lifts will be powered hydraulically from motor rooms located south of the lift shafts. The installation of the lift motor rooms will result in some reduction in the size of the Rotary garden adjacent to the northbound platform. It will also lead to the removal of the existing waiting shelters and the siting of new waiting shelters further down the platforms.
Mike Bishop commented "We hope that the new waiting shelters will be equipped with guttering and downspouts, to permit the collection and storage of rainwater for platform planters."
Network Rail also provided a draft timetable for the lift project. It is hoped that the outline design of the works will be complete around the end of December 2024 followed by a public information meeting early in 2025. Construction work is expected to start later in the summer and anticipated to be completed in the Spring of 2026.
Mike said: "While FoHS have been the main proponents of the lift project, we gratefully acknowledge the financial support of Handforth Town Council. They provided a grant of £5000 towards the costs of a 'GRIP 2 Study' - an essential prerequisite for any application to the Access for All scheme - and £150 for an assessment of station accessibility by disabled persons."
He added:: "As the cost of installing the lifts is now currently estimated at around £4.5million, Handforth Town Council seems to have made a wise investment in helping FoHS with our campaign. Our station badly needs this substantial infrastructure, which will be much valued both by Handforth residents and by visitors to the town."
Photo; A demonstration calling for Access For All.