The UK rail minister has announced a £1 million investment to improve access at Ty Croes railway station after a
campaign by Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie.
Huw Merriman was on the island on Monday and went to the station with Virginia to see first-hand the problems with
a low platform.
Historically it was built low to get cattle on and off trains to go to market. When there was a porter there, it was their
responsibility to bring out a ramp to make the trains accessible for people with mobility issues.
However, now there is no porter, people must move the ramp themselves – a manoeuvre obviously difficult for people
with mobility issues. Often people living next door to the station come out and help.
The matter was raised to Virginia by local constituents, including councillor Douglas Fowlie, and the MP visited the
station earlier this year to meet with them.
Since then, she has spoken to the minister several times about the issue in Westminster and it was one of the main
reasons for his visit.
At the station, the minister met with local people to look at the problem and hear their concerns. He then announced
the Department for Transport would fund a Harrington Hump at the station to resolve the issue. Work is expected to
be carried out in Spring next year.
“I am delighted the minister has announced this further investment in our island and I thank him for coming to see the
problem, speaking to local people, and listening to my views that something needed to be done.
“It will be a game changer for accessibility at the station and it shows the UK government not only listens but acts in
the best interests of islanders.
“I am looking forward to seeing the Harrington Hump installed and I will visit the station again when it is in place and
doing its job.”
In other visits, the minister met with representatives from Menter Môn, Lon Las Môn and Lein Amlwch to discuss how
to put the disused Amlwch-Gaerwen line back into use.
Later he went to Holyhead Railway Station to meet with Avanti drivers at their North Wales HQ and then Avanti management.
He also had a look round Holyhead station to understand local management issues with the station manager Andy
Baker and other local representatives.
The minister said: “I was pleased to visit Ty Croes station with Virginia and meet residents who are campaigning for
level platform access to their trains. The residents had brought their concerns to Virginia who then brought them to
me in Parliament and asked for a solution.
“I was able to tell residents that Virginia had brought this matter to me in a meeting in Parliament and, as a result of
Virginia’s request, we will provide a construction solution by spring 2024 which will see a part of the platform brought
up to allow for level boarding. Credit to Virginia for making this happen.”
Virginia added: “The minister is a star for coming to Anglesey and spending so much time here, going to several
locations to talk about important issues with islanders.”
