From the Bristol Evening Post
Disabled access at Keynsham railway station is to be improved after a long-running campaign by local councillor Charles Gerrish. Officials at the Department for Transport have approved a bid submitted by First Great Western for funding through its Access for All scheme towards the installation of a ramp to the Bristol-bound platform at Keynsham Station.
The total cost of the project is ú60,000, of which Bath and North East Somerset Council will pay ú15,000, Keynsham Town Council ú2,000 and First Great Western ú13,000. The remaining ú30,000 will come from the DfT.
Councillor Gerrish (Con, Keynsham North) has fought a two-year campaign lobbying BANES to earmark funds for the project and the council to press First Great Western to improve disabled access.
He said: "I'm delighted money has been awarded to boost disabled access at Keynsham Station.
"It has taken a long time to secure this commitment, but hopefully by March next year the work will be complete and passengers travelling to Bristol will have much better access to train services."
Keynsham resident Stella Hope-Gill, who is registered as disabled and uses a wheelchair, said: "I'm very pleased the campaign has been successful. Public transport provides a lifeline for people with disabilities. Train services are often overlooked by disabled people because it can be almost impossible to access them."