MSP demands action over platform access
An MSP has criticised the Scottish Government for failing to properly tackle disability access at a Stirling Station platform.
Alexander Stewart said, despite almost a decade of complaints, no acceptable long-term solution had been found for the problem facing passengers with mobility issues whom have to get to and from the rail hub’s platform nine.
The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP is to meet Scottish transport minister Humza Yousaf next month to discuss the matter.
Lifts were installed to take enable travellers to most platforms in the station.
However, the only access to platform nine, where many Alloa trains stop, is via a bridge and a flight of steps.
Alloa Community Council has been campaigning on the problem for nine years and the matter has also been raised at meetings of Riverside Community Council.
In response to complaints Network Rail and Transport Scotland examined the possibility of making modifications to the bridge but this was described as “challenging” as it would involve breaking through the station’s listed roof canopy.
A feasibility study concluded that, providing planning difficulties could be overcome, it would cost between £3 million and £5 million to provide step-free access to platform nine.
Network Rail said it would be too expensive and impractical to re-pen a redundant underpass.
In April 2016 Scotrail introduced a Transport Scotland-funded scheme for disabled passengers to book a taxi from Alloa to Stirling at no additional cost. Since then an average of nine taxi bookings per month have been taken by Scotrail.
People unable to use the stairs also had the option of leaving the station at the gate next to platform nine. A remote locking system gives direct contact to station staff.
In a letter to Mr Stewart the minister said investment in signalling and track improvements had enhanced accessibility at the station.
Work was carried out to bring platforms seven and eight back into service and additional signalling was introduced to reduce the number of trains scheduled for platform nine.
Only a small number of trains from Alloa now stop there, said Mr Yousaf .
A bid to secure funding for improvements from the Access for All budget was rejected by the UK Government. That programme is now subscribed until 2019.
Mr Stewart said: “This is an ongoing issue which seems to just be kicked into the long grass and will be devastating news for the people who use platform nine and who have been looking forward to a positive decision from the Scottish Government for an improvement in access for some considerable time.
“Passengers unable to ascend the flight of stairs would easily find themselves trapped there when arriving. I have seen people in wheelchairs being brought down the stairs to the platform and buggies being lifted and carried up. It’s unacceptable.”
A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said:“We continue to consider potential options to improve access that are both affordable and deliverable.
“The feasibility study completed by Network Rail highlighted a number of planning and technical challenges to overcome which makes any infrastructure solution complicated.”
Passengers unable to ascend the flight of stairs would find themselves trapped there