Campaigners urge UK Government to step up and back Ruabon Station improvements

A team of campaigners have reiterated their calls for the UK Government to help fund improvements at Ruabon Station.

Currently the station has step access meaning that those with mobility issues, families with young children and commuters have to carry heavy luggage between the two platforms.

It is the only station on the Chester to Shrewsbury route that is failing to meet passengers expectations of modern, accessible train stations.

The fight to improve accessibility at the station by installing lifts has been ongoing for several years, however previous funding bids have failed.

Clwyd South Member of the Senedd Ken Skates recently raised the issue in the Senedd and was told the Welsh Government is ‘doing everything we can at our end’.

Addressing Deputy Minister Lee Waters, who is responsible for transport in Wales, the Clwyd South MS asked: “Will the Minister provide an update on plans to improve Ruabon Station?”

Mr Waters responded: “Yes. Thank you to Ken Skates, who has been a consistent champion of Ruabon Station.

“We agree it has great potential, serving a wide area and is the rail gateway to the World Heritage Site at Pontcysyllte.

“We continue to press the UK Government for funding of the delivery of a new access-for-all bridge at the station.”

Mr Skates said campaigners for the improvements at Ruabon were left disappointed once again when, in November, the UK Government announced funding for other Welsh stations.

Responding to the Deputy Minister, he continued: “As you know, the Welsh Government has worked incredibly hard to try to get the improvements necessary at Ruabon Station.

“But back in November, there was the announcement of six stations in Wales that will receive upgrades, and Ruabon was not amongst them.

“Could you identify the reasons why you believe Ruabon Station has not yet benefited from the upgrades that so many passengers require of the station?

“Is it a problem with Network Rail or UK Government? Because I do understand that Transport for Wales has been pretty consistent in supporting the necessary works.”

Mr Waters said: “I can confirm that Ruabon Station is one of our top priorities for delivery in Wales through the UK Government’s Access for All scheme.

“Transport for Wales are working closely with Network Rail on that, and a final outline design is due at the end of March. So, I think we’re doing everything we can at our end.

“A new accessible bridge at Ruabon would make a significant difference there, but we can only take it forward if the UK Government funds it.

“Rail is not devolved to Wales, it is a UK responsibility, and I’m bound to ask what are all those Tory MPs in north Wales doing if they can’t deliver funding for a modest investment like this.”

Welsh Ministers had previously asked the UK Department for Transport to urgently prioritise work at Ruabon.

But in 2020 the station missed out on funding, despite investment once being described as being confirmed.

The Welsh Government’s first bid for funding was a replacement bridge with lifts, and the second for a reduced cost alternative which would see lifts fitted to the existing footbridge. Both were rejected.

Mr Skates and Ruabon councillor Dana Davies have worked alongside the Friends of Ruabon for years to campaign for improved access at the station. In 2017, former Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones presented a petition to Parliament calling for action from the UK Government.

In a further attempt to incentivise the UK Government to invest in Welsh stations, including Ruabon, the Welsh Government offered to match-fund vital upgrades.

Cllr Davies said: “It’s well documented that the Welsh Government has previously put money on the table for this long-awaited work, even though it’s not a devolved area. The Friends of Ruabon – and many other local people – have been frustrated and extremely disappointed by the lack of progress and numerous false dawns.

“Some years ago, when the Welsh Government first committed to funding half of the project, we celebrated – we thought it was a done deal.

“We didn’t think there was any way the UK Government would refuse to fund half the cost of a project it should be paying for in full.”