In a win for the Blue Mountains community, the iconic Blackheath Station is now fully accessible, with Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle and Transport Minister Jo Haylen unveiling and turning on three new lifts today.

The unveiling comes after years of advocacy from Trish Doyle and the local community to see accessibility upgrades at stations across the Blue Mountains.

The upgrade includes the installation of three new lifts, along with new pathways, ramps and stairs to make the station easier to navigate for people with a disability or limited mobility, parents and carers with prams and customers with luggage.

This marks the completion of the $17 million accessibility upgrade of the 152-year heritage train station, the construction of which supported 40 fulltime jobs.

The accessible path on the platforms has been regraded and resurfaced to achieve level access between the new lifts, boarding assistance zones, the family accessible toilet, help points and new accessible water fountain.

Existing car spaces on the Great Western Highway have been modified to provide an accessible kiss and ride space, an accessible taxi space and a Sydney Trains maintenance vehicle parking zone.

Two new accessible parking spaces have also been provided on Station Street, with an accessible path connecting Station Street, the new spaces and new lifts.

Other features of the upgrade include new bicycle hoops, improved CCTV and lighting, along with wayfinding and hearing loops, and the removal of a non-compliant pedestrian crossing over the railway tracks.

During construction, Transport for NSW provided a taxi service to Katoomba (the nearest accessible station), free of charge for customers with mobility or accessibility needs to ensure that accessibility was maintained for customers, with 230 trips provided.

Quotes attributable to Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle:

“I have long been passionate about advocating for the community to see all stations upgraded to be equitable and accessible for all.”

“This upgrade is long overdue, it’s not good enough that people with accessibility needs didn’t have equal access to public transport.”

“I know that Blackheath Station holds a special place in the hearts of Blue Mountains residents, as it does in my own, so while these upgrades will make train travel easier for all commuters, the precinct’s 152-year-old heritage remains intact. The lift shaft design is also sympathetic to the existing heritage character of the station and the town.”

“A beautiful Aboriginal artwork by Darug man and Blue Mountains artist Shay Tobin has been incorporated in the forecourt area for people to admire as they enter from the Great Western Highway.”

“The artwork features a topographical view of the landscape and local flannel flower motifs, and highlights his connection to Country and desire that everyone share in that experience.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen:

“Every single person in NSW should have the right to access public transport services and we’re committed to creating a safe and accessible network.”

“It’s about time the Blackheath community got the step-free station access that they deserve.”

“The Minns Labor Government will invest an additional $300 million into making railway stations step-free, allowing the transport access program to expand and cover stations that missed out under the previous Liberal Government.”