Accessibility campaigner Nathaniel Yates has spent nearly a decade fighting for step-free access at railway stations across Greater Manchester. His mission began after he fell down the stairs at Reddish North station in 2013, an incident that could have been prevented by a ramp or lift.
Half of Stations Inaccessible
Yates told the Manchester Evening News that out of 96 stations in the region, half have platforms reachable only by stairs. This makes them completely inaccessible for wheelchair users and challenging for those with buggies or walking impairments.
"Once I did an interview, and a lad in a wheelchair that came couldn't access Levenshulme because of the stairs," Yates recalled. "He had to be driven to meet us at the next stop outside Palace Theatre, Oxford Road, instead of the train with the rest of us. It's a very common thing, you'd be stranded at a station."
Success at Reddish North
Yates, who has cerebral palsy, began campaigning in 2018 after noticing a lack of progress. He has liaised with the Department for Transport, rail minister Lord Peter Hendy, Great British Rail, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Mayor Andy Burnham.
"I met mayor Andy Burnham in a meeting, and he did a train station journey with me from here to Levenshulme, another inaccessible train station at the moment," Yates said. "We managed to get £4m eventually to transform this place. It's going to have two lifts and a footbridge, due to be completed in 2027."
Work is already underway at Reddish North, and Yates looks forward to its completion as a triumph for himself and the people who need it.
Rolling Programme of Improvements
Beyond Reddish North, TfGM has a rolling programme targeting Bryn, Swinton, and Hindley stations, with the next tranche covering Newton for Hyde, Flowery Field, and Bredbury. Yates hopes to push Woodsmoor station higher up the priority list, as it is a 15-minute walk from Stepping Hill Hospital.
"If disabled people need to have a hospital appointment, one part of the station would be off-limits to them," Yates explained. "It's a shame, because everyone needs to access a hospital at one point or another, so there is a big calling and need for this one to become accessible."
Levenshulme: A Major Challenge
At Levenshulme, 45 steps separate commuters from the platforms until spring 2028. Yates has helped secure funding for lift access after repeated denials. "This is quite a big station, and one of the most popular in Greater Manchester," he said. "We could do about three or four stations with the cost of this one. I've had a lot of support here from the Friends of Levenshulme Station group."
Yates estimates that in a couple of years, 63% of stations will be accessible, with future stations like Cheadle and Golborne set to be fully compliant.
Recognition from TfGM
Simon Elliott, TfGM’s Rail Network Director, praised Yates: "Providing an accessible public transport system is one of our key priorities with the Bee Network, and Nathaniel continues to be such a powerful and determined advocate for disabled people in Greater Manchester."
Work is ongoing at Hindley and Bryn, following step-free access at Daisy Hill and Irlam last year. Reddish North and Swinton will see work begin later this year, followed by Flowery Field, Newton for Hyde, and Levenshulme.
Future Goals
Yates aims to make more stations accessible without assistance, and hopes to get a sensory room installed at Stockport station. "Publicity helps us get the money from central government, lobby government, lobby transport officials, lobby the mayor who's been brilliant, along with TfGM who are doing a brilliant job," he said.
"It's evolution, not revolution," he concluded. "It's going to take a very long time, but it's a long battle and a battle that I'm prepared for and will keep fighting and raising awareness for."
