PLANS to improve disabled access to Totton railway station have been welcomed by a town councillor who hopes other work will also be carried out.

Cllr Neville Penman has vowed to work with South Western Railway and Network Rail to ensure the station is “brought up to the required standard”.

He wants to see several improvements including a new shelter on Platform 1 and better seating.

Daily Echo:

Cllr Penman has spoken out following last week’s announcement that the station is one of 124 across the country which will be made more accessible for disabled passengers.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said a £20m funding package would finance a raft of improvements, including new lifts, disabled access toilets and customer information screens.

At Totton disabled passengers will be provided with level access to Platform 2 in a scheme expected to cost £300,000.

The announcement was made in a letter from Mr Shapps to Julian Lewis, Tory MP for New Forest East.

Mr Shapps told Dr Lewis: "We want our transport system to be the best in the world for disabled people."

Cllr Penman added: “After three years of work it’s great news that Totton station has been granted part of the Access for All government funding.

“It means that on Platform 2 we’ll have an entrance/exit for all users, including people in wheelchairs and families with children in pushchairs.”

Daily Echo:

Cllr Penman said people getting off on Platform 2 and leaving the station would no longer have to negotiate at least two sets of steps.

He added: “Working with South Western Railway and Network Rail we will bring our station up to the required standard.

"Hopefully with a new shelter on Platform 1 and new seating we can improve the footfall at the station and to our town."