A pioneering innovation which makes life easier for passengers using London Midland's St Albans Abbey station was officially opened by the Mayor of St Albans this week.
The new raised platform area helps bridge the gap between the platform and trains. It was designed and installed by Network Rail, working with Hertfordshire County Council the Department for Transport and train operator London Midland.
St Albans Abbey becomes only the second station in the country to get a modular easier access area – otherwise known as a ‘Harrington Hump’ after the station in Cumbria where a successful trial of the new system took place earlier this year.
Alex Hynes, commercial director for London Midland, said: “The platform hump is the latest improvement and investment for passengers using the Abbey Flyer line and St Albans Abbey station.
“Building on the investment in waiting shelters, a ticket vending machine and the wonderful, decorative mosaics produced by St Peter's School pupils earlier this year, St Albans Abbey is a success story and a template for London Midland stations across our entire network. It demonstrates what can be achieved by working together and providing better access for all."
Jerry Swift, head of corporate responsibility for Network Rail, said: “It’s really exciting to see the difference we’ve made for passengers at St Albans Abbey and along the entire Abbey Flyer line. Our thanks go to our colleagues at Hertfordshire County Council, the Department for Transport and London Midland for their support, which was crucial to delivering this innovative project.
“St Albans Abbey is only the second station in the country to get a ‘Harrington Hump’, which has made access easier for the whole community at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods. St Albans Abbey will be a shining example for stations across the country.”
Mayor of St Albans, Cllr Chris Oxley, said: “My warm congratulations go to everyone involved in this exciting project. Following all the other improvements made at St Albans Abbey station recently, this latest addition is a very positive step forward for rail users and I'm sure will be the catalyst for further improvements along this impotrant line."
Network Rail's website has more information about the pioneering hump technology.
