DISABILITY rights campaigners have spoken of the difficulties disabled people face at Northwich rail station in the hope of improving the passenger experience for them.
Lynne Turnbull, the CEO of Northwich-based representative organisation Disability Positive, met with the town's MP Mike Amesbury to discuss the challenges faced by disabled people.
Alongside Disability Positive care and support adviser Ronan Willis, Lynne and Mr Amesbury toured the site and encountered several issues including the far platform being unreachable for people with reduced mobility, as it is only accessible via a footbridge.
Findings from the meeting will go to the Transport Select Committee, on which Mr Amesbury serves, to help shape recommendations to Government on how to improve the passenger experience for disabled people.
Lynne, who identifies as a disabled person, said: “Imagine how difficult it is when things don’t go smoothly, such as the knock-on effect of trains being cancelled, negotiating an overcrowded carriage, struggling with accessing the information you need, or coming up against an unexpected physical obstacle.
"I’m pleased to be working with Mike as it’s important disabled people are able to access the same opportunities as everyone else, to move us closer towards our vision of a world that is ‘Disability Positive’."
Work is currently ongoing to rebuild part of the station which collapsed in May 2021, but the inaccessible platform won't be addressed at the same time, described by Mr Amesbury as a ‘missed opportunity’.
An Access for All funding bid to install lifts and improve accessibility for disabled people at Northwich station has been lodged and a decision is expected later this year, but with no guarantee of success.
The Labour MP for Weaver Vale, who continues to lobby the Government over the need to make Northwich station fully accessible, said: "It's unacceptable disabled people continue to face unnecessary barriers when travelling from A to B.
"We need to ensure public transport is inclusive and accessible for all.
"Rail transport in the north is crumbling and requires significant investment, including around improving accessibility.
"It's frustrating the south-east receives the lion's share of investment, while the north faces constant delays and cutbacks to planned upgrades."
Other hurdles encountered during the meeting at the station included accessible parking bays blocked due to scaffolding, ticket machines out-of-order and poor signage.
Lynne added: "Disability Positive is committed to upholding the rights of people with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions, whilst removing the disabling barriers within society.
"Disabled people should be valued and have opportunities to participate fully within their communities, including accessing public transport.
"Planning a rail journey for a disabled person is like a military operation, often with the requirement to have to book assistance because there are still too many barriers that prevent disabled people from being able to spontaneously travel for work, education, or leisure."
The Transport Select Committee inquiry is looking at the effectiveness of current legislation aimed at ensuring accessible transport for all.
Since its launch, the inquiry has received more than 60 written evidence submissions and more than 800 responses to a survey asking about people’s experience of transport accessibility.
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