Campaigner renews call for more step-free stations

Nathaniel Yates fears others may be hurt in accidents unless step-free access is provided at more railway stations

A disability rights campaigner has called for more railway stations to have step-free access ahead of planned improvement works at his local one.

Nathaniel Yates, who has cerebral palsy, started campaigning in 2018 - a few years after falling on stairs at Reddish North in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

He said everyone deserved access to train services, adding: "Transport should be a level playing field."

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said it was "moving at pace to deliver improvements" as it praised Mr Yates for his "brilliant job raising awareness about the lack of accessible railway stations".

'You'd be stranded'

According to research from Transport for the North, less than half of the region's stations have step-free access.

Mr Yates pointed out the example of Woodsmoor, which only has such access from one side.

"This is the nearest [station] to the local hospital - Stepping Hill in Stockport," he explained.

"So you could get to Stepping Hill but you can't get back - you'd be stranded.

"You have to rely on other people rather than you doing things for yourself."

Step-free access is due to be installed at Reddish North next year

Step-free access is set to be installed at Reddish North in 2026 - something Mr Yates said he was looking forward to "immensely".

But he has vowed to continue fighting for change across Greater Manchester and beyond.

"I would like to introduce step-free access again at all stations," he said.

"I would like to introduce a sensory room at Stockport station at some point for people that are neurodiverse too."

Councillor Grace Baynham, cabinet member for parks, highways and transport services at Stockport Council, said making travel accessible was "so important".

"This upgrade means people with limited mobility, parents with prams, and anyone who's ever found it tricky to get around at the station will have a much smoother experience," she said.

"This is such a big win for our community, thanks in part to the great work of Nathaniel Yates."

Work to provide step-free access at Swinton, Hindley, Bryn and Reddish North is scheduled to get under way next year, with accessibility improvements at Flowery Field, Newton for Hyde, Bredbury and Levenshulme set to follow.

A spokesperson for TfGM said: "It means that 63% of the city-region's railway stations will be step-free, up from 43% currently.

"This rolling programme of upgrades also forms part of Greater Manchester's wider plans to bring eight commuter rail lines into the Bee Network by 2028, building a more inclusive and accessible public transport network and delivering major improvements to stations, services and passenger experience."