Long awaited access improvements at Hedge End Station have moved a step closer, after local MP, Mims Davies, supported a joint bid put forward by the Managing Director’s at South Western Railway and Network Rail to the Government’s Access for All programme.
In making the case for the funding, the local MP highlighted significant level of development in Hedge End over the past decade, and as a result, substantially increased footfall at the station with a population now well exceeding 20,000, and more development is on the way.
Commenting, Eastleigh MP Mims Davies said:
“Today many businesses across our area and across the country have been marking Purple Tuesday, the UK’s first accessible shopping day, highlighting the value and needs of disabled consumers. Improving accessibility is something that I am really passionate about locally, including at our local train stations.
“That’s why I was so pleased that Network Rail selected Hedge End Station among those that it would be putting forward for funding through the Government’s Access for All Programme, something that together with Hedge End Councillor Chris Yates I have been specifically calling for and absolutely support.
“The population of Hedge End has increased significantly over the past decade, and is set to grow further, while as home to hundreds of local businesses large and small, including large M&S, Sainsbury’s and Next stores, we see people travelling in from all over the region and further afield both to work as well as to make the most of the local shopping experiences.
“It is therefore absolutely vital that everyone who wants to can access our town by rail. This is an important step forward, and I will continue to support my constituents in pushing for these access improvements.”