Two lifts have been installed at Leominster station, making access between the station entrance, ticket office and platforms much easier for people with limited mobility, as well as people with pushchairs and luggage. The £1m project is part of the nationwide Access for All scheme, backed by the Department for Transport.

Improvements to the station platform have been undertaken with tactile paving also provided. Work under the national station improvement programme has also brought a new waiting area, toilets, seats and signs.

Mark Langman, Network Rail’s route managing director, said: “The improvements to Leominster will make life easier for everyone who uses the station, not just including those with impaired mobility, but mums with buggies and passengers with heavy luggage.

“An accessible railway is vital for the future transport needs of the country and the more people that are able to use the train the better.”

Councillor Graham Powell, cabinet member for education and infrastructure, said: “I am delighted that we can now promote fully accessible rail services from Leominster. This will make a big difference to people with mobility difficulties in the north of the county and will help Herefordshire Council develop its vision for better transport.”

Ian Bullock, customer service director for Arriva Trains Wales said;

“A number of passenger facility improvement works have already recently been completed at Leominster and we are pleased that the completion of the new lifts continues the wider programme sponsored by Department for Transport to improve accessibility at a number of stations we operate.

“We are also working with the Welsh Government to improve access to many of our ticket office counters and have completed 20 of these schemes with more to follow this summer.

“As an organisation we will continue to work with our industry partners to improve the journey experience for our passengers even further.”

Bill Wiggin MP said; “I’m absolutely delighted that these essential improvements are finally in place. Both myself and local residents have campaigned relentlessly on this issue: it hasn’t been easy but the end result is one hundred percent worth it.

“I look forward to seeing these small changes make a big difference to the lives of people in and around Leominster.”