We are really grateful for a detailed reply written by West Yorkshire CA rail development manager Michael Sasse on behalf of Cllrs Susan Hinchcliffe (chair of WYCA transport committee) and Eric Firth (deputy chair). We had a conversation with Cllr Firth at the Northern Trains stakeholder event in November. We also spoke to Northern officials, pressing them for action.
Good news from WYCA, and our conversations with Northern, is that Halifax is on the list for Phase 1 of a Rail Accessibility Package, (under CRSTS – City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement) expected to go committee this month.
Halifax is one of 22 West Yorkshire station expected to benefit and should get: Braille station maps*, Help points, Induction loops*, Handrails with Braille*, Accessible WC and baby change facilities*, Painted lines on footpaths, Anti-slip stair edging*, Seats inside, Seats outside, Furniture Painting, Tap Rails*.
Hebden Bridge is also on the list for starred (*) items.
We guess some items may be upgrades of existing. The Halifax accessible toilet has recently had new fittings: is this enough? We think more is needed.
Work across the county should start in March 2027 and end by Aug 2028. The email talks about the recent local transport plan consultation, which is expected to be adopted at the March 2026 combined authority meeting. Then further development and “delivery of the Halifax station gateway scheme will considered alongside other priorities”.
Hadrag will continue to emphasise the point that for train passengers what matters first and foremost is convenient and modern rail facilities and early action to improve them.
Halifax and District Rail Action Group 