PLANNING permission has been granted for a scheme to make Menston Railway Station accessible for people with limited mobility.

An application by Network Rail for prior approval to install lift towers, a revised footbridge and approach stairs (Access For All Scheme) at the station in Station Road, Menston, has been granted by Bradford Council's planning department.

The plan is to reconfigure the existing bridge, realign the stairs and install two 11-metre high, stone-faced lift towers alongside the bridge, one on each platform.

There had been objections to the proposal from the occupiers of five local addresses who said that while they were fully supportive of improving accessibility at Menston Station they believed that a more appropriate solution should be found.

They said it was an over-engineered solution that would have a harmful impact on the privacy and amenity of their homes.

The objectors said the design was visually unsympathetic and not in keeping with the area and expressed concern regarding the impact of lighting to homes, and increased antisocial behaviour from the bridge.

A meeting with those residents was organised by Network Rail to discuss the project and view the impacts on site, and the planning authority's case officer attended.

Network Rail said the plan it had selected: involved only a minor diversion to the public right of way; no land purchase is required, allowing construction to start on site sooner; it allows the replacement of the station's current footbridge, avoiding renewal costs; provides familiarity for station users and there will be no impact on the station car parking.

In conclusion the planning officer says: "Taking all the factors into account, the LPA is not persuaded that the development ought to be and could reasonably be carried out elsewhere on the land."

It adds: "Whilst undoubtedly creating structures that will be prominent new landmarks, the newly aligned bridge and new lift towers are not judged to be out of keeping with, or causing injury to, the neighbourhood given the existing character of the site as a functioning railway. Such amendments as can reasonably be incorporated have been included by NR as design modifications now shown on the final drawings. It is considered that neither the design nor the external appearance of the structures is so visually unsympathetic as to injure the amenity of the neighbourhood to the extent that the Local Planning Authority's prior approval could reasonably be be denied."