Campaigners call for better disabled access to railway
RAIL campaigners are calling for renewed action to improve disabled access and accessible rail journeys at a borough station.
Hyndburn MP Graham Jones visited Church and Oswaldtwistle Railway Station recently to discuss improvements with the regional director of Northern, Chris Jackson, and local disability campaigner, Valerie Martin.
Church and Oswaldtwistle’s station has disabled access on just one platform and the only way to access the other platform is using a steep set of steps.
Mr Jones said this causes ‘huge problems’ for many people, especially the elderly, disabled and people with prams.
He said: “While it was good to see improvements at the station, such as new shelters, the ticket machine and the Rotary Club’s brilliant flower beds, we need the station to be better accessible.
“I have been meeting local campaigners who are campaigning for improved disabled access at this station.”
Mr Jones also joining calls from the rail industry encouraging disabled people to take up the Disabled Persons Railcard, which gives users a third off rail fare prices.
It also offers the same discount to a companion travelling with the railcard holder.
On average, passengers with the Disabled Persons Railcard save £108 a year, even after the £20 cost of the card is factored in.
He said: “The number of people using a Disabled Persons Railcard is growing locally; 5,711 people used the card in 2018 in Hyndburn, compared to 4,783 back in 2015.
“I encourage anyone entitled to the railcard to take it up, so they can have discounted rail journeys.
“However, the figures also show the numbers of disabled commuters locally and reinforces our calls for improving disability access at Hyndburn’s stations.”
Northern did not respond to a request for comment.