Investment in the railway network is of the utmost importance, an MP has said.

David Hanson, MP for Delyn, has welcomed the news that investment into Flint station will improve accessibility.

Flint station will become one of 73 stations across the UK to receive funding, which was announced recently from the Department of Transport.

Following the announcement by Network Rail that a pot of £300m was to be made available for stations across the UK to further extend the Access for All programme between 2019-2024, David Hanson MP wrote to Network Rail placing a bid for Flint to receive funding.

Mr Hanson said: "This is excellent news for Flint and rail passengers from all over Delyn. As soon as I heard that funding was being made available I put in an application as Flint desperately needed upgrading to ensure that everyone could use it no matter what their mobility levels.

"As many of you will already know, the only way to access both platforms from the ticket office is via two footbridges. These do not have step-free access and mean that people wanting to have step-free access have to take a huge detour under the railway line."

Access for All was launched by the last Labour Government in 2006 and has installed accessible, step free routes at over 200 stations, opening up new access to rail journeys. Passengers using another 1,500 stations have also benefited from smaller scale access improvements because of this scheme.

Since the introduction of this Labour scheme 75 per cent of rail journeys are now through step-free stations, compared to only 50 per cent in 2005.

David Hanson’s nomination for Flint station was one of over 300.

Flint station will now be, subject to a feasible design being possible, receive an accessible route into the station, as well as to and between both platforms. All work at the stations receiving the funding is due to be completed by the end of March 2024.

The Delyn MP added: "Being one of only 73 railway stations in the country to receive this funding is a big vote of confidence in Flint station. It shows that Network Rail see the importance of our station and how it needs to be part of the modernisation of the network.

"This is the first step in making the North Wales coastal railway truly accessible for all.

"Investment in our railway network is of the utmost importance. Going forward I want to see us unlock direct routes between our network and Liverpool so that we can benefit from the economic growth in our largest nearest city. I will continue to lobby Transport for Wales and Network Rail to see Delyn’s railways deliver even better services."