Reddish North and Bredbury railway stations will be getting accessibility improvements in the next few years, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced.

Reddish North will have step-free access by summer 2026, while Bredbury will have it by 2027. It will mean those with reduced mobility can use trains more easily.

Nathaniel Yates is a Reddish-based campaigner who has been pushing for accessibility improvements at railway stations since 2018.

He welcomed the news as 'tremendous'.

These two stations are among 10 in Greater Manchester which will be receiving a total of £34m in accessibility improvements. Levenshulme is another local station which will be getting upgrades.

Plans are also being drawn up for improvements at Davenport and Woodsmoor stations, meaning upgrades could follow there soon (Image - Nub News)

Furthermore, TfGM will be drawing up plans for step-free upgrades at Davenport and Woodsmoor stations - although upgrades won't be taking place in the immediate future, the drawing up of plans will mean that such upgrades can be constructed quickly as and when more funding arrives.

"It will make such a huge difference", Nathaniel added. "So many more people will now be able to get around.

"Disabilities aren't going away. We live in an ageing society, and it's always possible to get disabilities. You can have a disability with age… anything can happen. 

"You might need these facilities. You need to think of things like lifts and ramps as an investment, rather than a hindrance."

Nathaniel Yates at Reddish North station (Image - Nub News)

In a campaign of remarkable scope, Nathaniel has delivered petitions, sat on boards, and worked with politicians and other campaigners.

He describes these station improvements as an example of the importance of working collaboratively, rather than combatively.

"It's far better to work with one another instead of against", he said. "We should be saying 'I want to work with you', rather than 'you've not done this, you've not done that'.

"I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all the politicians and friends groups who've helped me in the campaign."

Bredbury Station will have step-free upgrades by 2027 (Image - Nub News)

One of the politicians Nathaniel has been working with is Cllr Grace Baynham, cabinet member for Parks, Highways and Transport at Stockport Council.

She said she was pleased to see this 'vital work' going ahead.

"I have been campaigning to get step free access at train stations with Nathaniel for a number of years", Cllr Baynham added.

"He first contacted me because Woodsmoor train station is one of the most used stations in Stockport without step free access, and it is also the main station for accessing the NHS hospital for the area (Stepping Hill Hospital). I am very pleased that funding has now been agreed for detailed design work at Woodsmoor Station and Davenport Station.

"I believe that it is vitally important that all stations in Stockport and Greater Manchester eventually get step free access, so that everyone has access to good transport links and the benefits that brings. I also think there are wider benefits for the local economy and local communities because more people will have opportunities to access shops, employment, and services, including healthcare."

Woodsmoor Station does not have a fully accessible platform (Image - Google Maps)

Andy Stobbie, the chair of Woodsmoor Station Friends, similarly welcomed news of planned upgrades for Woodsmoor station.

"It is good that Woodsmoor is near to the top of the list for funding for Step Free Access, particularly as it is the nearest station to Stepping Hill Hospital", he said.

"One platform is already step free, it just needs the southbound Buxton platform upgrading.

"I am hoping that users and community groups such as Woodsmoor Station Friends will be involved in the planning for Step Free Access. There has been talk of a lift being installed whereas we believe there is room for a ramp to the platform, which would need little maintenance and be a much more cost effective solution."

In all, the improvements mean that, by 2028, 63 per cent of Greater Manchester's railway stations will have step-free access.

Funding comes from the government's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and the DfT's Access for All scheme.

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