Council urges rail operators to act on Pokesdown accessibility as funding pressure mounts
BCP Council has warned it may have to withdraw its contribution to upgrade Pokesdown Station, unless plans are sped up
Last updated 4th Feb 2026
BCP Council is calling on national rail operators to accelerate long-promised accessibility improvements at Pokesdown railway station.
The local authority warns that “years of delays” have pushed costs to a point that it would now struggle to commit its previously agreed financial contribution.
It comes as the council reviews its finances and prepares proposals to balance the budget and set council tax for the year ahead, amid growing pressure on local finances.
Plans to improve accessibility at Pokesdown, including the installation of lifts, have been discussed for several years.
A provisional financial contribution was agreed by the previous council administration in January 2022. However, BCP Council says delays in progressing the scheme have significantly increased borrowing costs.
Councillor Mike Cox, cabinet member for finance, said the authority shared residents’ desire to see better accessibility across all seven railway stations in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
“But the length of time it has taken rail companies to move this work forward means the costs have risen to a point where we are being forced to change our position,” he said.
The council estimates that borrowing the £2.6 million originally earmarked for the project over a 50-year term would cost local taxpayers £9.75 million in total once interest is included.
Cllr Cox added: “At a time when our funding from central government has reduced and demand for our services continues to rise, we simply can’t justify spending nearly £10 million on something that is the responsibility of the rail operator especially when we are having to take difficult decisions to protect services for the most vulnerable in our community.”
The council argues that responsibility for station infrastructure lies with national rail bodies, including Network Rail and Great British Railways, and that residents should not be expected to subsidise those costs.
Councillor Andy Hadley, cabinet member for transport, said: “National operators oversee a multi-billion-pound capital programme across the UK.
“We will keep pressing for the investment our area needs, both for accessibility and for services, and we welcome the support of our local MPs in making that case.”
BCP Council’s cabinet is due to consider a report on February 11th recommending the withdrawal of the provisional funding contribution agreed three years ago.
If approved, the decision would place renewed pressure on rail operators to deliver accessibility improvements at Pokesdown without local authority funding.