Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie has won her fight to move forward with step free access for Stroud railway station.
The Department for Transport has awarded the cash from the latest round of the Access for All programme.
Ms Baillie has been campaigning for step free access at the station for years, including arranging visits from ministers so they could see the problem first-hand.
Many people currently have to walk around the town to get to the platform they want if they have mobility issues or buggies and prams.
The MP has struggled herself when using the station with her two young children.
“I am absolutely chuffed Stroud people with disabilities, heavy bags or two small kids like myself will soon be able to use Stroud Railway Station properly with no steps,” said Baillie.
“It’s taken a bit of time but I have managed to get us onto the list with the support of Stroud Town council, GWR, local access groups, ministers and many others.
“I will be looking forward to working on the studies for the lifts and improvements to the station so more people can access the railway and provide a boost to the town’s businesses too.”
Chairman of the Chamber of Trade, Tony Davey said: “This is a massive step forward in the need to make Stroud Railway Station accessible.
“The process moves quite slowly and I know there were many in the queue to get this far. The funding to complete the next steps of the study is vital and the need undeniable, so I am hopeful of an overall positive outcome. So much work has gone into this; the studies and applications, public feedback, visits and lobbying in Westminster; it’s great that it has paid off and that we can move on to the next step. Making the station accessible helps visitors, workers, businesses and everyone who wishes to enjoy the town and travels by rail.”
