Whitchurch Town Council is investigating the potential of the town's train station being included on a priority list for funding.

The council has been contacted by residents in recent months concerning access at the station where disabled passengers, or people with pushchairs, have struggled to climb stairs.

Town mayor Councillor Tony Neville met with Ruby Hartshorn from Shropshire Disability Network at the station and says the council are working towards a positive outcome.

"I've been to the station myself to see that it is very tough for people who are disabled to get over from one platform to the other," he said.

"We want to be welcoming as many people as we can to the town, but if they are going to be unable to walk up the steps, while in many situations lifting heavy luggage, it's not going to help us.

"I myself would benefit from having something like a lift at the station, but there are lots of people in the town who are worse off than me and they definitely need a way of getting from the southbound platform to exit the station.

"This situation has gone on far too long as and once we were approached by members of the public, we wanted to move this forward."

Town clerk Nicola Young has put forward two options to Network Rail to be considered for 'Access or All' funding; a pedestrian crossing or a footpath allowing for southbound exit.

However, Network Rail replied to say options are limited but would work with the council if money became available.

The said: "Unfortunately, therefore the possibility of opening a pedestrian crossing at the south end of the platform wouldn’t be something we would consider.

"In terms of accessibility in general; Network Rail would like to see all stations across Wales and Borders made fully accessible for passengers.

"The Department for Transport’s dedicated ‘Access for All’ fund has been used to improve accessibility at a number of stations in recent years.

"However, there is only so much funding available. If funding is made available, Network Rail would be delighted to work with our industry partners to make Whitchurch a fully accessible station.”