MP renews calls for improved station accessibility

Helen Morgan is making calls for better access at Whitchurch Station

An MP has renewed her calls for transport bosses to sign-off on plans to make a station more accessible.

Passengers with disabilities or mobility issues currently cannot board trains heading towards Shrewsbury at Whitchurch because the platform can only be accessed via steps and a footbridge.

North Shropshire Lib Dem MP Helen Morgan added designs for lifts to be installed at the station were being drawn up and Network Rail had identified the scheme as “high priority”.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it was currently reviewing the proposals.

“With so many passengers in the Whitchurch area excluded from using the station, this simply has to be a top priority,” Ms Morgan said.

“The decision is already overdue so I’ve once again written to the Transport Minister making it clear why this project must be made a priority.”

Ms Morgan said the lifts can only be installed if the Department for Transport approves Whitchurch’s nomination under the Access for All scheme.

A DfT spokesperson said: “We have already funded step-free access at over 230 stations through our Access for All programme and, thanks to reallocated HS2 funding, we have committed a further £350 million to improve accessibility at up to 100 more.

“We are currently reviewing project applications and will provide further information in due course.”