Lazarowicz: continued concern over Waverley access

Mark Lazarowicz MP has written again to Network Rail to express continued concern over access to Waverley station.

After first raising the issue of access for disabled passengers now that vehicles were barred from the station, Mark has welcomed action taken by Network Rail but stressed that real problems remain more generally affecting all those using the station, especially at busy periods such as Festival time.

In particular, the North & Leith MP is calling for Network Rail to:

· look again at access for people with disabilities

· introduce clearer access for cyclists, and

· quickly improve signage to taxi ranks outside the station as well as bus and tram services in time for peak Festival time.

He said: “I recognise that Network Rail is taking action to meet the concerns that I and others expressed but I remain concerned about access to Waverley for passengers generally.

“People with restricted mobility should be able to access the station as independently as possible rather than having to rely on the passenger assistance service provided by staff however good it is.

“The only access route for cyclists is now along the pedestrian footway from Waverley Bridge which is clearly undesirable for both cyclists and pedestrians.

“There is no longer any taxi access into the station but there also don’t seem to be there any signs to taxi ranks outside. There are signs to buses but not which bus and tram services stop where.

“The number of passengers using Waverley went up to 19 million last year but too many still face problems accessing the station.”