Having written to Network Rail on numerous occasions and raising the fact the Access for All programme had gone nowhere since 2015 in the House of Commons, I am pleased to say I have some updates to share.
A timeline is provided below about what happened, dating back to 2019, and with some proposed dates for completion of the long overdue upgrade to Kidsgrove Railway Station.
I am pleased to confirm the Access for All funding originally given (£5.5 million) is still secured.
I will also be working with Network Rail to try and bid for £200,000, partnering with Staffordshire County Council, to secure funds for the car park to house a bus station in order to create an integrated public transport network.
I again appreciate the patients Kidsgrove and Talke residents have shown. This upgrade is about creating fair access for all and upgrading a well used train station. It’s time Kidsgrove stopped being forgotten and got what it deserves.
- May 2019 – coal identified on Platform 2/3 whilst carrying out excavation for the lift. Works on site stopped whilst mining investigation took place.
- February 2020 – Mining survey completed showing significant mining underneath the station and surrounding area
- May 2020 – Additional authority agreed with the Access for All fund and Route Asset Manager to complete the mining remedial works continue the bridge installation works
- June 2020 to September 2020 – Design works to be completed for mining remedial works
- September 2020 to December 2020 – Mining remedial works to be completed. This will then allow the bridge installation works to recommence.
- January 2021 to Summer 2021 – bridge installation works to be completed and bridge opened to the public.