MP Peter Bone went to Wellingborough station yesterday (30 September 2011) to open its new footbridge and to celebrate a station upgrade which will make it more accessible to disabled people.

Mr Bone, MP for Wellingborough and Rushden, said: "I am delighted that the much-needed improvements at Wellingborough station are now open.

"In the past it has been extremely difficult for disabled people, young families and passengers with heavy luggage to cross platforms."

The upgrade includes step-free access between the station entrance and platforms.

The project, which was jointly funded by Network Rail and the Government’s national Access for All programme, included the new footbridge and two new lifts.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for people to access our train services, and we're currently investing more than £40 million to improve our stations and trains," said David Horne of East Midlands Trains.

The new footbridge and lifts will allow Network Rail to close the barrow crossing.

Other improvements are planned along the Midland main line as part of a Network Rail scheme to increase maximum speeds. Level crossings will be closed or enhanced, track will be renewed and realigned, points will be upgraded and the gradient of corners altered, with maximum speeds being gradually increased over the next three years.

Information from East Midlands Trains EMT