Working to make the train service easier to access

 

Friends of Hunmanby Railway Station have worked hard raising concerns expressed by local rail users about the high step on and off the train on Platform 1. This is the platform where you get off the train coming from Scarborough, and on the train going towards Hull.

'Harrington Hump' Grant Application Form to Department for Transport, Mid-Tier Funding Access for All, £20 million fund.

The above Photograph shows in the foreground the existing 'Harrington Hump' on Platform 2

3 years ago, Friends of Hunmanby Railway Station was set up through Northern Rail their aim being to have a local group of volunteers looking after each station. At the meeting suggestions, were made by people to improve the village station. Each issue raised has been taken up, explored, somethings have happened, tackling anti-social behaviour, installing new road signs to point the way to the Industrial Estate and Village Centre. Others ruled out, with a valid reason given, like a new footpath to the station to improve access or a station car park. This has helped to retain the interest and support of the community. The success stories have gained useful local press coverage, which has helped to stimulate rail travel. One, still ongoing, is to finish off proving level access to the train. There are two platforms, both with level access from the road, one has a 'Harrington Hump' (going to Scarborough) one does not (going towards Hull). The 'Harrington Hump' is named after a station chosen as a trial, in rural Cumbria, where the weather conditions are harsh (on the Irish Sea) and there was a large drop from the train to the platform. The 'hump' raises a short section of the platform where the train door with the wheelchair sign on stops. This gives level access onto the raised section of platform. This is the only remaining barrier to level access at Hunmanby. Since September 2017 the issue of the extra 'Harrington Hump' has been batted around between Network Rail and Northern Rail.

 

Through a casual internet search in late summer 2019,  the group found out about this Department for Transport scheme, which can provide up to 100% funding, and specifically mentions 'Harrington Humps'. The Friends of Hunmanby Railway Station formally wrote into the named officers at Network Rail and Northern Rail dealing with applications. Friends of Hunmanby Railway Station are grateful for the time freely given by Hammond ECS Limited of Aberdare, South Wales and Dura Composites in Clacton on Sea, Essex. These two companies have been involved in the design, supply and build to improve level access to railway stations around the country. Without their help, interest, support the application would not have been compiled. 

 

 

 

The application was submitted by Friends of Hunmanby Railway station so that Hunmanby station was considered for one more 'Harrington Hump. 'The Department for Transport welcomes community involvement. In just four weeks supporting letters have been sent in to support the extra 'Harrington Hump' by:



Both Scarborough Borough Councillors for Hunmanby Ward Cllr Michelle Donohue Moncrieff and Cllr Paul Riley



Our County Councillor Cllr Roberta Swiers, for Hertford & Cayton Division



Member of Parliament Kevin Hollinrake, Thirsk & Malton



North Yorkshire County Council, Executive Member for Access, Cllr Don Mackenzie



Hunmanby Parish Council



Hunmanby Doctors Surgery Patient Participation Group



Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership



Scarborough Borough Councillor Alex Bailey Member of Castle ward and Representative on

Yorkshire Coast & Ryedale Disability Forum



7 individual Letters from local residents who would benefit from this suggested

improvement.



Through our Member of Parliament Kevin Hollinrake, Network Rail gave support for the scheme, in effect taking on ownership and ongoing maintenance once constructed.

Hunmanby Parish Council earmarked £100 towards the scheme, Friends of Hunmanby Railway Station £150. With only a 4 week time scale to put together a funding bid, effort was put into obtaining supporting documentation. Rather than financial contribution.

 

OUTCOME:

With 100 projects submitted for 240 stations, this time Hunmanby has not been successful, but the written contributions will remain on file and will help in the future to support other schemes to resolve the one remaining barrier to level access between the station entrance onto the train. 

 

This is the reply from the Access for All Team at the Department for Transport (February 2020)

ACCESS FOR ALL MID-TIER FUNDING IN Control Period 6 (CP6)
Following the announcement to invite applications on 8 July 2019, we received over 100 project nominations covering more than 240 individual stations across England, Wales and Scotland. Projects have been selected based on the criteria identified in the announcement and include:
• Relevance to improving access for disabled people at stations
• Projects at a credible stage in development
• A good demonstration of value for money
• Strong evidence of stakeholder support for the project
• The availability of significant third-party funding

It should be noted that other factors were considered before the final selection was made including the need to ensure a fair geographical spread across the country and the credibility of projects being delivered within Control Period (CP6). On this occasion, the project that you nominated at Hunmanby station (for installation of
an additional Harrington Hump) was not selected. I would like to thank you for all the time and effort you put in to providing this nomination for Access for All Mid-Tier funding in CP6, including raising funds of £250 towards the project.
We are committed to ensuring that disabled people have the same access to transport services and opportunities to travel as other members of society. that there will be further funding opportunities in future which may support delivery of improvements at Hunmanby station.

If you have any queries about this letter please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,



Neil Priest
Programme Manager
Rail Infrastructure North
Department for Transport
4th Floor Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 4DR

 

Updated 22.10.2021