Daisy Hill Train Station lift delay causes concerns

Calls have been made to install an elevator at Daisy Hill Station but the work was delayed and rising costs meant the contract had to be relooked at.

Transport for Greater Manchester  (TfGM) hope to have the contract signed by the end of the month, say councillors.

Daisy Hill station platforms can only be reached by a flight of stairs, and train users have been sharing their frustration about the problem for years.

Cllr David Wilkinson and Mayor, Cllr Dierdre McGeown, say the lift is essential for all to benefit from using public transport.

Cllr Wilkinson expressed concerns that construction works are to commence in March 2024 and the completion and handover for the lift is March 2025.

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Cllr Wilkinson said: “I have been asking and asking ever since the tender rise came in what  TFGM were looking at, because they put it out for both Irlam and Daisy Hill and it came over what they had budgeted for, and I had real worries that we weren’t even going to get a lift.

“The sad thing is that yes it might be provisional for it to take place, but we now have another year added on top for the works to be completed and it could be even longer, and it is disappointing.

“Disabled people and people who have got a pram or someone with a physical disability, the delay is preventing them from getting down to the platform.

Daisy Hill Train Station (Image: Cllr David Wilkinson)

“It is the 21st century and we are still waiting and waiting for access to stations.

“Alright it is going to happen, hopefully, but it is very very slow.

“I’m just hoping they stick to the timetable because completion and handover in 2025 is a long way off, it’s two years nearly.

“I’m just hoping it does happen this time and we don’t have something crop up because people have been waiting so long for this lift and it is a mainline route now that goes to Manchester.”

Cllr Dierdre McGeown said: “Steps can be an insurmountable obstacle for many people, particularly the disabled, and therefore all public places where there are steps, lifts are essential.

“I am not disabled in any way but have arthritis in my knees and struggle with any steps, I can climb them but it takes time and it’s difficult and can be painful so I can only image how disabled people see these steps at Daisy Hill station, they are a real obstacle for them, and for how many years now have they been promised a lift?

• Also read: Daisy Hill railway station lift works to be delayed

“Without a lift Daisy Hill Station is not accessible to so many disabled people in Westhoughton it is not acceptable that they have had to wait for so long.”

Simon Elliott, TfGM’s Head of Rail, said: “We want to make all public transport fully inclusive, and we are committed to improving accessibility at railway stations across Greater Manchester.

“Daisy Hill was one of the first stations to be prioritised for investment and we have been working with industry partners to deliver step free access there as soon as possible.

“There have been several factors outside of TfGM’s control which have presented further challenges and subsequent delays to this scheme, such as rising inflation and increased costs.

“We’re doing our best to work through those challenges and remain fully committed to the delivery of this scheme, with construction due to begin next year.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.