Biggleswade Railway Station was given approval by the last government for the Access for All (AfA) programme in 2019 and Richard has been chairing regular meetings between stakeholders- including Biggleswade Town and CBC Councillors, Biggleswade Rail User Group and Beds Rail Access Network - and Network Rail and GTR since January 2020.
The project should have been delivered by the end of 2023 but to the group’s frustration it has been delayed several times, impacting the lives of disabled rail users as well as all rail users frustrated with the lack step free access to the platforms.
As a result, Network Rail have carried out a comprehensive review of how these projects are delivered and will put these learnings in place for future projects. While this does not change the delivery of the Biggleswade project, Richard is pleased that work commenced in January 2025 and the project is due to be completed by the end of December 2025.
Once delivered, there will be two new lifts on both island platforms and a new bridge and walkway to create step free access from the station entrance to all platforms.
GTR have made a funding request to the Department for Transport for staffing to be able to have the lift open from the first train to the last train and the group is waiting to hear if this has been successful.
Please check back for details of the opening date, final remedial works which will need to be carried after the lifts are in service and the final decision on staffing.
