The Mayor, Councillors and Officers of Biggleswade Town Council attended the official opening of the new lifts at Biggleswade Railway Station this morning. The project was delivered as part of the UK Government’s Access for All programme, providing step-free access to and between the station platforms.
Also in attendance were Richard Fuller MP, representatives from Network Rail, Govia Thameslink Railway and the Bedfordshire Rail Access Network, along with students and teachers from Ivel Valley School in Biggleswade.
Speaking at the event, the Mayor of Biggleswade highlighted the station’s historical significance, noting that it is the oldest railway station in Bedfordshire, originally built in 1850 and remodelled in 1901. It was first used to transport local market gardeners’ produce to London, where it was sold in markets such as Covent Garden.
Mayor Woodhead explained that the Access for All project had taken time to come to fruition and was championed by former MP Alistair Burt, current MP Richard Fuller, and former Mayor and Councillor Madeline Russell. The new facilities will make travel easier for people with disabilities, families with young children, and those travelling to London’s main stations for onward journeys.
Cllr Woodhead also stressed the importance of keeping the existing main bridge open, despite the addition of the new access bridge, as it continues to serve as a vital pedestrian route across the town.
Peter Carbery, Infrastructure Director at Govia Thameslink Railway, who manage the station and operate its Great Northern and Thameslink services, also spoke at the event. He emphasised the organisation’s commitment to making all stations as accessible as possible and thanked everyone involved for their support, particularly Network Rail and Story, who worked hard to deliver the scheme.
