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Shipley Train Station

Inclusive Hub - Shipley Station

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Shipley Train Station is located in West Yorkshire ten miles North of Leeds. The Station mainly facilitates commuter services to Leeds City Centre and Bradford but also provides links to London and Glasgow. The Station building itself is thought to have been built between 1883 and 1892 and has been selected as one of nine stations included in Northern Trains’ Inclusive Hubs scheme. The scheme initially aims to identify stations that may pose challenges to access and on the back of these findings initiate works to improve accessibility.

The client appointed Vextrix to provide Principal Designer Duties on this project in compliance with CDM Regulations. The aim of the project is to improve accessibility for people with reduced mobility and people with visual and hearing impairments. Our team were engaged during the concept design stage and assisted the client in scoping visits of the site to establish and agree the extent of the works. Working to the clients budget, the team offered guidance and advice when prioritising the accessibility improvements and safety concerns.

During the scoping visits, it was determined that a new waiting area and toilets were to be constructed to offer quality facilities that could be accessed comfortably by all users.

The teams appointment before the selection of the D&B contractor meant they were able to share all the information gathered from the scoping phase and support the contractor throughout the design stage, with knowledge on the existing hazards and challenges of the sites.

Challenges

Shipley Station presented its own set of challenges that the team worked with the client to overcome. The area selected for the construction of the new facilities was part of the structure that had been redundant for some years and left uncovered, which meant it had become overgrown with vegetation. The project saw the transformation of this area and the space used to provide one new accessible toilet and one gender neutral toilet, along with a modern spacious waiting area with storage.

Our team provided the client with a complete Principal Design service as well as adding value to the project with their knowledge and experience of accessibility standards. The team were able to support the client throughout the project, not only with CDM regulations and construction safety but also advising on accessible standards from BS8300, to Department’s for Transport Approved Code of Practice for Design Standards for Accessible Railway Stations.