STOCKPORT STATION SET FOR NEW INVESTMENT AS IT IS NAMED AS ONE OF TEN "WORST" RAIL STATIONS IN UK

11.47.00am GMT Thu 19th Nov 2009

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell has today welcomed the Department for Transport's decision to invest £50m in upgrading the ten "worst" stations in the UK, including Stockport.

In a Department for Transport report, published on Tuesday (17th November), Stockport, along with Manchester Victoria and Wigan North Western were rated amongst the ten stations most in need of modernisation across England.

The money is going to be used for urgent upgrades to the current station to improve customer satisfaction, and is intended to ease overcrowding, improve parking facilities, information and the environment.

Commenting, Mr Stunell, who is currently campaigning for extra carriages for commuter lines to and from his constituency and Manchester to ease overcrowding, said:

"I am pleased Stockport Station is to get an upgrade. It is a very busy transport hub, and investment to improve it is very welcome.

"There is a crucial need to connect the station to the bus station, and I will be urging Network Rail to make sure this is a central part of their plans.

"But commuters in my constituency are looking for even more urgent investment in extra carriages to end the massive rush hour overcrowding on local routes. All that needs is for the Minister of Transport to agree that we can use the surplus trains on the Oldham Loop line. And we are still looking for proper disabled access at stations like Bredbury and Marple.

"I am in favour of having really smart stations, but if passengers can't even get on the trains because of overcrowding and access problems, they aren't solving the problem."

ENDS