A LONG-running campaign which demanded better access to Meols station for people with mobility issues has ended in the installation of passenger lifts.

The station has long been the source of complaints by rail users for lack of accessibility for people with mobility issues and those with children in prams or buggies.

The lifts were installed as part of a £2.2m scheme funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) Access for All programme.

Merseytravel also plan to roll out a fleet of fully accessible trains later this year.

To celebrate the installation of the lifts, Merseyrail organised an official opening at the station, inviting public officials and members of the community who have been active in the campaign to make the station more accessible.

West Wirral MP Margaret Greenwood, who has lobbied for several years on behalf of local people for the lifts to be installed, joined Wendy Skelland and other members of Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom, Wirral Mayor Cllr Tony Smith, Merseyrail managing director Andy Heath and Cllr Gordan Friel to officially open the lifts.

Margaret Greenwood said: "I was delighted to play my part in the opening of the new lifts at Meols Station.

"Campaigners in Meols have lobbied for years for better access at the station and it is fantastic that their hard work has paid off.

"Before the lifts were installed, many passengers with mobility issues, and those with prams or buggies, were unable to alight a West Kirby bound train at Meols Station.

"They instead had to travel all the way to West Kirby and come back on themselves just to be able to leave the platform, adding unnecessary time and inconvenience to their journey.

"Now the lifts have been installed, more people will be able to travel by train to and from Meols.

"This is going to make a real difference to a lot of people."