Let's get on board to improve access at York station

• Rachael Maskell MP for York Central backs campaign to make rail travel easier for disabled passengers.
• Steps prevent disabled people from using 33% of railway stations in Yorkshire and the Humber, according to research published by disability charity Leonard Cheshire.
• The research revealed 40% of stations in England, 50% of stations in Scotland and 32% of stations in Wales do not have full step-free access available for disabled people.

Rachael Maskell, the Member of Parliament for York Central and Shadow Transport Minister, today met with disabled constituents to hear more about this issue and to give her backing to disability charity Leonard Cheshire's Let’s Get On Board campaign, which is calling for stations across Great Britain to be made step-free.

Steps are preventing disabled people in Yorkshire and the Humber from using 33% of railway stations in the region, according to research published last week by Leonard Cheshire.

Rachael said:

‘Everyone has the right to get to work and visit their friends and family as they choose, but the lack of step-free access at train stations is barring disabled people from travelling independently.

‘Whilst York station itself is step-free, many barriers remain to accessible end-to-end journeys.’

Many disabled people also face difficulties planning travel, due to the unclear information on step-free access from National Rail.

Even at stations with step-free access, often a ramp is still needed to get from the platform to the train. This needs extra assistance, which is not always available, making it impossible for disabled people to travel spontaneously.

Rachel also met members of the charity’s Can Do initiative  including Oliver, who uses a wheelchair, who said:

‘Improved accessibility at stations would give me the freedom to see relatives, meet friends and just get to wherever I want to be.’

Jess, who has a hearing impairment, added:

‘A more accessible rail network would help people with different disabilities to feel more confident when travelling to new areas by train, enabling them to access more opportunities and improving their outlook on life.’

The latest findings follow research by Leonard Cheshire earlier this year that more than a third (35%) of working age disabled people have experienced problems using trains in the last year as a result of their disability.

Leonard Cheshire is campaigning for the government and rail operators to make all stations fit for use by disabled people – this includes making sure every station has step-free access from the station to the train.

The charity is calling on people across the country to write to their local rail operating providers to fulfil their duty to disabled passengers and provide step-free access at their train stations.

Philip Brownlie, Public Affairs Manager for Leonard Cheshire, said:

‘Poor public transport prevents people from being able to live their lives as they choose.

‘We are grateful to Rachael for meeting us in York to highlight this important issue.

‘We need all MPs and rail operators to listen to the problems affecting disabled passengers and instigate meaningful change, to make our transport system inclusive for everyone.’

Media enquiries

For further information, photos and interview requests, please contact: Danielle Mendel on danielle.mendel@leonardcheshire.org or 020 3242 0204

Notes to editors

For more information please contact Philip Brownlie - Public Affairs Manager, Leonard Cheshire on Philip.brownlie@leonardcheshire.org or 07540 731 330

Research and analysis carried out by Leonard Cheshire based on data provided by Office of Rail and Road. Accessibility and mobility data available per station published on National Rail website.