New lifts have officially opened today for passengers at Hitchin railway station after a two month delay.

The lifts, which were officially opened by Network Rail and First Capital Connect, give step-free access to the southbound platform.

The £1.7m project, funded by the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme, has delivered two new lifts connecting to the subway that runs between the two platforms.

The project has opened up this part of the railway network for all users including people with restricted mobility, heavy luggage and passengers with pushchairs.

First Capital Connect customer service director, Keith Jipps, said: “It is fantastic that a major station like Hitchin which has over 2.5m passengers travel through it every year now offers passengers step-free access to both platforms.

“This is a great time for our passengers in Hertfordshire with lifts now open at Hatfield, refurbished at Stevenage and near to completion at Letchworth.”

Work by Network Rail to install lifts at Hitchin and Letchworth GC railway stations began last year and was set to be completed in July.

Phil Verster, Network Rail route managing director, said: “Improving access at stations is an important part of building a bigger and better railway.

The improvements we are making to a number of stations in Hertfordshire will increase the number of easy-to-use stations in this region, providing passengers with even more fully accessible journey options. As the railway is used by more and more passengers, we will continue to invest and make improvements whenever and wherever possible.”