The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway (WLLR) has been awarded a Wheelchair Access Grant of£42,500 by the government to improve access onto their trains.
The grant was announced on the 25th May by the Minister for Rail. It is all part of £1 Million Heritage and Community Railway Tourism Innovation competition.
The WLLR’s ‘Disability First’ project, brings together plans of a combination of things, such as carriage modifications and platform lifts. This will allow disabled people to get on and off the train
Wheelchair access has been a challenge for heritage railway operators, as the lines were built before the importance for disabled access was recognised. This is more of a challenge on the WLLR as it is a narrow gauge, and means the dimensions are even smaller.
In this project, the WLLR plan to buy platform lifts for both Welshpool and Llanfair stations, whilst replacing ramps for more effective access to the carriages. Additionally, two of the carriages will be modified to have access to the larger motorized wheelchairs.
- Visit the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway Website
For more information, times and fares. - View other Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway Posts
Here, on the RailAdvent Website.
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