Row over disabled access at Accrington station (From Blackburn Citizen)
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Row over disabled access at Accrington station
11:39am Wednesday 18th January 2012 in Hyndburn
CALL Coun Pritchard
A FORMER mayor is slamming transport chiefs for not helping Accrington’s disabled train users to switch platforms.
The new Accrington Railway Station was opened a year ago offering improved services and with an award winning eco-friendly building design.
The station also has disabled access to both platforms.
However County Coun Malcolm Pritchard, said in practice, the station was a nightmare for disabled people to use, because it does not allow passengers to switch platforms.
Currently passengers have approximately a quarter of a mile to travel down Eagle Street, Blackburn Road and Paxton Street, unless they are able bodied and can use the stepped bridge across the platforms.
Coun Pritchard has requested a sysytem where the station master can help disabled users across the rail tracks walkway, but has been told that is not feasible.
Coun Pritchard, who is Hyndburn’s former disabled champion, said the trek was too much to ask of carers and wheelchair users.
He said: “Disabled people who live on the wrong side of the station also have to go the long way. If the walkway system cannot be put in, they have to look at installing a lift.”
Hyndburn Disabled Forum spokesman and Disabled Person Champion for the borough, Coun Gareth Molyneux, said: “Obviously they have looked at disabled access, but they haven’t considered disabled users switching platforms.”
Station owners Lancashire County Council were unavailable for comment yesterday.
Between_the_lions says...
12:11pm Wed 18 Jan 12
Being a former mayor you'll be used to spending other peoples money. I don't think the installation of a lift would be very practicable.
They are quite lucky that disabled access to both platforms is available in Accrington. In many places it isn't.
"Coun Pritchard, who is Hyndburn’s former disabled champion, said the trek was too much to ask of carers and wheelchair users."
Well that has been the norm for how long? Shouldn't be a problem for carers or wheelchair users that normally get around by wheelchair. For those who can't manage the trek they could always park the other side and drive round.