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Train users unable to travel because of poor facilities
WHEELCHAIR user Danielle had to add an extra hour to her rail journey because there was no one there to help her.
And it’s all because of the glacial pace of change when it comes to accessibility on Scotland’s public transport network.
Nearly half our train stations are not fully accessible.
That could be because of stepped access to change platforms, or a lack of ramps to get on trains.
Many of these stations are Victorian in build and their awkward layout is often used as an excuse.
The Victorian age ended more than a century ago – and the excuse just does not cut it anymore.
A DISABLED train passenger has revealed that nearly half of Scotland’s rail stations are not fully accessible.
Wheelchair user Danielle – working for a disability charity Leonard Cheshire – spearheaded a study which uncovered a shocking lack of facilities.
The research found 47 per cent of train stations exclude disabled people by being inaccessible.
The news comes the day after a new station, Robroyston, opened in Glasgow.
Danielle, from Irvine, said: “I rely on public transport and if I am going shopping or to work, it has a bigger impact on my life if it doesn’t run properly.
“On a recent journey, I got to Irvine and there was no one to help me get off the train – instead I had to travel to Prestwick, which is about four stations away.
“It added an extra hour on to the journey.”
Leonard Cheshire has campaigned for legislation that will ensure the UK Government hits its target of making all train stations step-free for disabled people by 2030.
At the current rate, it says the job will not be finished by 2070.
Stuart Robertson of Leonard Cheshire in Scotland, said: “Our research demonstrates the current rail network is excluding many disabled people from making journeys which others take for granted.
“As families look to enjoy the festive season together, accessibility issues will add unnecessary stress to disabled travellers.”
Scots rail authorities said accessibility was reserved to the UK Government.
Transport Scotland said it would “continue to push for full devolution of rail powers to enable us to better deliver for Scotland’s rail users”.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “Many of the country’s stations date from the Victorian period and were not designed with the needs of all travellers in mind.”