Nathaniel Yates has fought hard for accessible railway stations. His efforts have led to a £34 million investment to improve ten stations in Greater Manchester.
Manchester: Nathaniel Yates has been on a mission for accessible railway stations. After years of hard work, he’s finally seeing results.
Last week, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority approved £34 million to improve ten stations. This funding will help install lifts, ramps, and other features for people with disabilities.
Nathaniel, who has cerebral palsy, knows the struggle firsthand. He fell at Reddish North station in 2013 while rushing to catch a train. Since then, he’s been advocating for better access.
He secured funding for step-free access at Reddish North, and now the GMCA is backing his campaign for Levenshulme station. Nathaniel wants all stations in Greater Manchester to be accessible.
He expressed his joy, saying, “It’s been a long fight since 2018, but we’re finally getting there.” He feels emotional and excited about the changes coming to the stations.
Nathaniel believes these improvements will benefit everyone, whether you’re in a wheelchair or pushing a stroller. By spring, lifts will be installed at Daisy Hill and Irlam, with more upgrades planned for next year.
Accessibility projects at other stations will continue through 2028. Currently, only 43% of stepped stations are accessible, but the goal is to reach 63% by March 2028.
His campaign has inspired the Access for All Programme, which aims for all stations to be step-free by 2030. Nathaniel has involved the community, meeting with local leaders and even Paralympians.
He knows there’s still a long way to go. “Until you see people working on it, it won’t feel real,” he said. But he’s determined to keep pushing for change.
After the GMCA meeting, Mayor Andy Burnham emphasized that mobility issues shouldn’t hinder travel. He’s excited about the upcoming improvements, especially for Levenshulme station.
