Lib Dems back station overhaul bid (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Lib Dems back Whitton station overhaul bid

8:00am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Richmond News By Rachel Bishop

Support is growing for an overhaul of Whitton station, following proposals from a passenger group, backed by Liberal Democrat councillors.

Windsor Lines Passenger Association put forward a number of suggestions to improve the station, which the Lib Dems put to people in Whitton High Street on Saturday, January 28.

The most important issue was to make the station fully accessible, but other suggested improvements included better drainage, re-opening the toilets, extending canopies and aesthetic improvements to the footbridge.

The petition raised 150 signatures in just a couple of hours, but and Greater London Authority (GLA) candidate Munira Wilson said there were a further 100 to 150 signatures for the proposals from a petition sent out before Christmas.

The Lib Dems are calling on Richmond Council to work with the relevant authorities and prioritise Whitton Station for improvements this year.

Munira Wilson said: “It’s high time we had a station in Whitton fit for the 21st century - the station is currently in a terrible state and impossible to access for the disabled or parents with pushchairs. There are plans or funding in place for improvements to other major stations in the borough and now Whitton must be made a priority.

“Local residents have already shown overwhelming support for these proposals to be implemented. Nationally there is funding available from the Department for Transport (DfT) to improve station access. I call on the council, with South West Trains and Network Rail, to bid to the DfT so Whitton can benefit from these access funds.

“Whitton station must get the investment it needs to be a decent, modern station for local commuters, as well as the thousands of visitors on rugby days.”