Disabled rail passengers ‘must wait for decades’ for accessible stations

Slow progress on making Scotland's train stations stepfree means disabled passengers will have to wait decades for an accessible rail network, a charity has said.

Disability charity Leonard Cheshire says 46 per cent of Scotland' strain stations are inaccessible for disabled people.

It says that Britain' s railway network will not be fully accessible until 2070 unless progress increases.

In Scotland, only threes tat ions–B reich,Dalwhinnie and Robroyston – have been upgraded over the past year to allow step-free access, according to the charity.

Stuart Robertson, director of Leonard Cheshire in Scotland, said :" These findings reinforce the need for investment to ensure our rail network fully meets the needs of disabled people.

"It is a simple issue of equality that is even more relevant as we remain in an economic crisis for the foreseeable future.

"We have revealed a clear link b et ween accessible rail and job opportunities for disabled people that will boost the economy and improve lives."

The charity said a fully accessible rail network would be "transformative" for disabled people’ s employment prospects and help tens of thousands find work.

It said ensuring step-free accessibility to all stations must be prioritised as part of the response to the coronavirus crisis.

S NP Government qu ango Transport Scotland said the Scottish Government was committed to improving access to stations beyond the Uk-wide programme.