New lifts and a footbridge have officially opened at Newtown station in Powys, making both platforms fully accessible to all passengers for the first time.

Network Rail and contractor AmcoGiffen began work on the project in December 2023. While the main infrastructure is now complete, additional work will continue in the coming weeks, including replacing station furnishings and monitoring the lifts to ensure they are functioning properly.

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Theo Smith, senior portfolio manager for Network Rail, said: "I'd like to thank members of the public for their patience while we carried out this important piece of work.

"We're committed to making the railway the preferred choice of sustainable travel, and having stations that are accessible for all rail users is critical to achieving this.

"We are continuing to work hard at Abergavenny, Flint and Llanelli stations to also make them step-free, the new facilities will be open to the public soon."

Newtown is one of six stations on the Wales and Borders route to become step-free as part of the UK Government's Access for All programme. Funded by the Department for Transport, the initiative was launched in 2006 to address accessibility challenges for passengers with disabilities or mobility issues.