Tom Hayes
Pokesdown Railway Station is getting closer to providing lifts for improved accessibility.
After years of local campaigning dating back to 2011, a scheme has moved into detailed design work.
This latest phase involves setting the project’s technical design to overcome complexities such as limited space at the station. The phase will also secure an accurate estimate of the costs involving in making the station accessible following the increase in construction costs prompted by the cost-of-living crisis.
This stage is expected to complete by late summer 2025 to enable South Western Railway (SWR) and National Rail (NR) to move forward with an affordable construction phase.
All being well, if design work and funding allow, construction could begin towards the end of 2025. Installation is anticipated to take 18 months and would depend on coordination with other scheduled rail projects.
In addition to the new lifts, at the prompting of Tom Hayes MP, SWR and NR are making other improvements at the station such as repainting of the station’s interior and bringing improvements to the front of the station building, including planting flowers.
Tom Hayes MP also recently met with the Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh to discuss strategies for moving the project forward.
He said: “Pokesdown Railway Station hits at the heart of beautiful Boscombe, but disabled people are shut out. The community has long wanted an accessible station, and finally we’re making progress with bringing lifts to Pokesdown. I will continue to work closely with everyone who has a positive role to play in making Pokesdown more accessible, including BCP Council who, I am pleased, made a funding commitment to this.”
Progress at Pokesdown! 🚂
Following a really great meeting in September with @SW_help, NR, and BCP Council, I'm really pleased to share that after 13 years, the lift project at Pokesdown Station has entered the detailed design phase. pic.twitter.com/E073gIV3av
— Tom Hayes MP (@TomHayesBmouth) November 18, 2024