Enhancing Inclusivity at Greater Manchester Transit Hubs

In the UK, efforts to enhance accessibility at Greater Manchester’s train stations are gaining momentum. The ongoing initiative aims to double the number of step-free stations in just three years compared to the last ten years combined.

On May 12, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham celebrated a meaningful milestone in Irlam, where a £5.7 million project funded by the Department for Transport’s Access for All program has successfully added two lifts to an existing pedestrian subway. This year will also see upgrades at Swinton, Hindley, Bryn, adn Reddish North, while Flowery Field, Newton for Hyde, Bredbury, and Levenshulme are on track for improvements by 2026.

Burnham highlighted concerning research suggesting that if progress continues at its current pace, it could take up to a century before the entire national rail network is fully accessible. He expressed urgency in an interview with Rail Business UK, stating that “we need to accelerate our efforts.”

The mayor emphasized that achieving full accessibility should be treated as a national priority. “We’re committed to speeding things up here in Greater Manchester,” he remarked. “It feels like we’re finaly aligned with our partners in the rail sector; everyone is working together towards this common goal.”