PRESSURE from an MP to improve disabled access at a North Yorkshire railway station has resulted in extra Government funding being made available.

Thirsk MP Kevin Hollinrake has been pressing for funds to improve Thirsk station's accessibility and has worked with groups to identify improvements that should be made such as installing lifts and ramps.

Transport minister, Nusrat Ghani, has now announced a new funding opportunity is available.

The announcement was made in a debate tabled by Mr Hollinrake and following a series of meetings with the Secretary of State for Transport and the Minister.

Ms Ghani said that her Department had made £20 million available for mid-tier Access for All projects.

These would focus on stations where accessibility improvements can be delivered with up to £1 million of Government support alongside significant third-party match funding.

Mr Hollinrake said “This is terrific news. We will be submitting our bid as soon as possible and will ensure that it is supported by private investment."

Mr Hollinrake explained that an earlier application for Access for All funding by TransPennine Express and North Yorkshire County Council to install lifts at Thirsk station had been unsuccessful.

The Northern Echo:

Thirsk train station Picture: Google

This was due to a high demand for funding and because the Thirsk bid had fallen short on footfall.

However, with the town's population expanding, Mr Hollinrake said he was 'determined not to let the matter rest'.

"As I said in my debate, Thirsk has very particular needs as disabled access to either platform for inbound or outbound trains is diabolical," he said.

"I have stood on the platform when trains come through at over 100 miles an hour.

"Concrete steps are the only way to access the ticket office and platforms without physically crossing the tracks."

Ms Ghani congratulated Mr Hollinrake for his efforts to secure extra funding for Thirsk and for calling the debate.

She said “Thirsk has particular, unique circumstances, but it is not the only station that is not fully accessible at all times, which is why I think it important to ensure that any bid for Thirsk is rated highly by the train operating company and also comes with match funding.

"However, I entirely accept that it is not the easiest place to be when trains are whizzing past at high speed and I look forward to receiving an application on behalf of Thirsk Station in the next round of funding.”

Mr Hollinrake said it is very important in the week the Government legislated for a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 that all people are able to use public transport.