Following a £3.1m investment, access to the North Lanarkshire station has been transformed with a new footbridge, lifts and stairs giving step-free access to all platforms.
Delivered by STORY on behalf of Network Rail, the new layout makes it easier for people with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children or cycles to access the platforms on the busy Edinburgh-Glasgow (E&G) route.
The footbridge takes station users from the entrance, over the railway, with lifts now in place to take people down to platform level.
Liam Sumpter, Route Director, Network Rail Scotland said: “We are delighted to have completed this investment in Croy station and the new bridge will make the railway easily accessible to even more people in the local community.
“Scotland’s Railway is working closely with Transport Scotland to deliver access improvements at as many stations as possible so we can open up the network and create more travel choices for people across the country.”
As part of Network Rail’s commitment to being a greener, more efficient railway, the project has been exemplary in its approach to community engagement and sustainability best practices.
Activities at Croy have included the procurement of electric vehicle charging stations to encourage EV use in substitute of diesel- or petrol-powered vehicles, the use of recycled construction materials such a low-carbon concrete and the reuse of materials including the refurbishment of metal fencing.
In addition, while the project was ongoing, volunteers gave 200 hours of time, and around £400 of materials were donated to help renovate local charity space, Croy Community Hub.
Brian O’Hare, Contracts Manager for Story Scotland, said: “The team worked around the clock to complete the scheme to improve access at Croy station.
“Collectively we are proud to deliver such an important upgrade which gives residents and passengers the availability of new lifts and a footbridge, meaning that disabled and wheelchair users; the elderly; families with prams and pushchairs; and the many others who find it difficult to access the railway, will have a much safer and easier time now.
“In addition to the engineering works, we were also able to put our Story moto of ‘Doing It Right’ into action, working with the Croy Community Hub charity to refurbish their facility which supports the wellbeing of the local area.”
The lifts at Croy came into use on Thursday October 13 and Louise Marshall, travelling with a pushchair, a baby and a toddler were some of the first to take advantage of the step free access.
It was a day of new experiences for young Paige who, at just three years old, also jumped at the opportunity to have a shot of our camera and took this fantastic photograph of our team. Thanks Paige!
This project has been funded by the Access for All scheme, which is an ongoing investment in Scotland’s Railway designed to improve access within stations for people with impaired mobility.
Since its launch in 2006, Access for All has funded improvements at 27 Scottish stations, including Croy and Johnstone which completed last week. Anniesland, Port Glasgow, Uddingston and Dumfries are also due to be upgraded in the coming years.
The Access for All programme is funded by the Department of Transport, but Transport Scotland is responsible for managing this fund for Scotland.
Stations are selected by Transport Scotland and delivered in partnership with Network Rail who is responsible for the physical delivery of the works.