The lifts at Bolton railway station have been branded “not acceptable” after frequently breaking down. The Bolton News has recently reported that both lifts at the station had been out of order, one while it undergoes long-term repairs and the other having broken down on Monday, May 13. Now Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi has said that these breakdowns have been an ongoing problem and that she has written to both the government and rail company Northern.
Ms Qureshi said: “Bolton railway station is the gateway to our town and in terms of first impressions and giving a good account of our town to new visitors, having basic services in working order is a must. “Of course, I understand that things break down from time and time and require maintenance but this has been going on for months. The other lift at the station had been broken down on Monday (Image: Newsquest) “Regular commuters will point out that this has been an ongoing problem on and off for years.
“I have heard on a number of occasions how disabled passengers have to go on to the next station with accessibility and come back to alight to Bolton to alight on the platform where their exit can be arranged safely.” The lift between platforms four and five has been out of order since mid-March while £570,000 upgrade work takes place. Network Rail has said that it expects the lift to be working again by this summer between until then it means the only step-free access has been via platforms one, two, and .