Macclesfield station’s £400,000 lift upgrades complete

Passengers are benefitting from more reliable step-free access at Macclesfield station after a major overhaul of its lifts.

They reopened to passengers today (Thursday 1 April) after the lift cars and mechanical equipment were replaced over the last 12weeks.

The £400,000 investment as part of the Great North Rail Project will greatly improve accessibility at the busy Avanti West Coast managed station.

During the work, station staff were on hand at Macclesfield station to assist passengers making essential journeys.

Tom Wadsworth, senior asset engineer for Network Rail, said: “Our refurbishment of the lifts will improve Macclesfield station as we get it in the best possible shape for passengers when measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 can be eased.

“I’d like to give a huge thank you to passengers for their patience during the upgrades which will ensure the station remains accessible for everyone for years to come.”

Laura Harper, Avanti West Coast station manager at Macclesfield, said: “We’re pleased to have supported Network Rail’s refurbishment of the lifts at Macclesfield as part of their Great Rail North Project and would like to thank customers for their patience while the upgrade works took place.

“These improvements will provide reliable step-free access – making Macclesfield station accessible to everyone for many years to come.”

David Rutley, MP for Macclesfield, who officially opened the new lifts, said: “The news that the work to upgrade Macclesfield’s station has been completed is positive for local passengers. In normal times, many passengers and visitors use the station every day and this vital refurbishment of the lifts will make it much easier for everyone to access the platforms, especially those with mobility issues. I am pleased that Network Rail’s £400,000 investment in Macclesfield Station has assured accessibility for many years to come”.

£10m is being invested in the region over the next threeyears to modernise lifts to stop unexpected breakdowns which can be hugely inconvenient for passengers.

Meanwhile, passengers are urged to keep following government guidance on the use of public transport during measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Please check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest information.