Make Whitchurch Station accessible

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has called on the Secretary of State for Transport to support a bid to finally make Whitchurch’s railway station fully accessible.

Anyone wishing to use Platform 1 at the station currently has to manage 44 steps in two flights and a footbridge. This means disabled people and those with mobility issues are not able to board trains heading towards Shrewsbury or get off any services arriving at Platform 1.

Rail operator Transport for Wales currently arranges taxis for passengers in need – when it is aware of the request in advance – or customers have to travel to the nearest step-free stations of Wrenbury (eight miles away) or Prees (six miles away).

Helen Morgan and fellow Liberal Democrats have long campaigned to make the station fully accessible.

A new bridge was installed by Network Rail several years ago but this was done on a like-for-like basis and made no provision for disabled access.

Transport for Wales has now made a bid with Network Rail for funding under the Access for All scheme. This would allow a design to be created and implemented meaning disabled people can access the station.

Helen Morgan has written to Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps urging him to support the application and ensure travellers no longer have to put up with long detours due to the station’s inaccessible design.

Helen Morgan MP said: “It is ridiculous that it is 2022 and yet we still have railway stations which are of no use to people with disabilities or mobility issues.

“I am pleased that there now appears to be some movement towards finally making Whitchurch Railway Station accessible for everyone.

“I am sure the Secretary of State will agree with me that people should not have to navigate steps to access the station and I look forward to him backing the funding application.”