A COLCHESTER train station is set to install a new lift after receiving a grant from the Government which encourages the expansion of accessible travel for all. 

Colchester Station, in North Station Road, is set to get a huge upgrade to its accessibility. 

The Government has announced a list of 50 stations which will become a part of the Access for All funding scheme. 

Gazette: Entrance - Colchester StationEntrance - Colchester Station (Image: Newsquest)

The Access for All programme was launched in 2006 to address the issues faced by disabled passengers and passengers facing mobility restraints when using railway stations in England, Scotland or Wales.

The £350 million to fund even more station projects was confirmed when the previous funding from HS2 was reallocated.

A Greater Anglia spokesman said: “We are very pleased this funding has been awarded as it will mean Colchester will be fully accessible for all passengers, particularly those arriving at the station by bus and from the passenger car park.

“This funding is for the construction and installation of a lift that will serve the northern side of the station, the one side that isn’t currently served by lifts.

“With the continued growth in the number of rail passengers and the impressive accessibility characteristics of the new trains, we are committed to further improving accessibility across our network.”

Gazette: Access - a train at the stationAccess - a train at the station (Image: Newsquest)

Currently, the lifts at the station cannot provide access to platforms one and two from the car park side of the station, meaning wheelchair users can only get to those platforms by arriving at the southern side.

However, Greater Anglia received £1million in funding as far back as 2015 to install the lifts, only to later find that the cost of installing a new elevator would be three times more expensive than originally estimated.

A timeframe for the building work is yet to be put in place, but updates will follow.