Almost half of Scotland’s train stations do not have step-free access and are inaccessible to many disabled travellers, research conducted by Leonard Cheshire has found.
The disability charity has established that 47% of railway stations have no step-free access and the current network is excluding disabled people, failing to ensure end to end journeys are accessible.
Leonard Cheshire are campaigning for legislation that will ensure all train stations are step-free for disabled people by 2030. The charity wants all journeys to be fully accessible from the purchase of a ticket through to station and on-board train information.
Leonard Cheshire research has suggested that the UK government will miss its 2030 target to make all rail journeys step-free by 40 years at the current rate of completion.
Danielle (above), who lives in 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.”
As we approach the busy festive period, inaccessible rail stations mean many disabled people will be excluded from travelling by train from their local station to see friends and loved ones.
Stuart Robertson, Director of Leonard Cheshire in Scotland, said: “Our research demonstrates that 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 who negotiate a sub-standard network every day.
“We call on the UK Government to prioritise the acceleration of the ‘Access for All’ funding programme to modernise train stations, so disabled people can enjoy the life opportunities provided through accessible rail travel.”
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