Llanelli railway station has officially unveiled its brand-new accessibility improvements, marking a major milestone in creating a more inclusive, modern and welcoming station for all passengers.
The completion of the £6.3 million upgrade, funded through the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme and delivered in partnership with Network Rail, Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government, was celebrated at a community event attended by local leaders, rail partners and residents.
Guests included Dame Nia Griffith MP, Llanelli Town Mayor Cllr. J.E. Jones, and members of Transport for Wales’ (TfW) Accessibility and Inclusion Panel who joined Network Rail, TfW, rail industry partners and members of the local community to mark the successful delivery of the project.
The investment has delivered a range of improvements that will make it easier, safer and more convenient for passengers to travel, particularly disabled people, and those with luggage, wheelchairs, prams or additional access needs.
What’s been delivered:
• A new fully accessible footbridge with lifts
• Removal of the old footbridge
• Improved ramped access on Platform 1, reducing reliance on the level crossing
• CCTV, public address and lighting upgrades
• New tactile paving along platform edges
• Upgraded emergency egress points
These enhancements form part of ongoing work across Wales and Borders to create a rail network that better serves every member of the community, supporting more accessible journeys and improving the overall passenger experience.
Kevin Collins, Project Director for Network Rail’s Wales and Western region, said, “We’re delighted to unveil these fantastic new lifts and the footbridge for passengers in Llanelli – improvements that have made the station more welcoming and significantly more accessible for everyone who uses it.
“I want to extend a big thank you to the residents of Llanelli for their patience and support while this work was carried out, and to our contractors AmcoGiffen and all our partners for delivering the project safely and professionally.
“These new facilities are designed to make travelling easier and safer for all and we hope they make a real, positive difference to passengers’ journeys.”
Adrian Carrington, Head of Station Infrastructure at Transport for Wales said, “Llanelli is an important station to the Wales and Borders network and serves up to 400,000 passengers a year. The introduction of a new access for all bridge and lift facilities will enhance accessibility, along with the opportunities for Llanelli and the surrounding communities.
“Our Accessibility Panel continues to play an invaluable role in shaping our understanding of passengers’ needs, and I’m pleased to see their important work remain central to TfW’s decision-making process.
“TfW remains committed to working collaboratively with Network Rail, Great Western Railway (GWR) and other partners to improve services along the South Wales Mainline and we’re looking forward to welcoming passengers to experience the new accessible facilities at Llanelli Station.”
Dame Nia Griffith MP said, “I am delighted to celebrate the investment in Access for All at Llanelli Station. It’s so important we now have lifts, which means that people with disabilities, parents with pushchairs and passengers with heavy luggage can access both platforms without having to trek around the level crossing.
“Many thanks to Network Rail and Transport for Wales for their work to make this happen.
“I am now keen to see Llanelli benefit from further improvements to train services as the plans for the Swansea Bay Metro project take shape.”
Amanda Say, on behalf of the TfW Accessibility and Inclusion panel, said: “I’m pleased that the Accessibility and Inclusion Panel have been involved with this project since the planning stage, right through to the opening, today. It has made the station much safer by eliminating the need to use a level crossing to travel between platforms. This will greatly benefit all passengers, especially people with disabilities.
“Thank you again to everyone involved and for the ongoing commitment to improving accessibility across the Wales and Borders railway.”
The work doesn’t stop here. Next up is Tenby station, where new facilities will be delivered by December 2026, continuing the rail industry’s commitment to a safer, more accessible and greener railway for Wales and Borders.
