North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has called on the government to explain when Whitchurch railway station will obtain step-free access.

Ms Morgan has been advocating for enhancements at the station for several years, and last year was told that a government decision regarding the project would be made in 2023.

However, the Department for Transport has yet to share when the announcement will be made on the future of the station.

Currently, Platform 1 at the station, which is for passengers travelling towards Shrewsbury, can only be accessed via a 44-step footbridge.

This presents an accessibility challenge for disabled residents and those with mobility issues who wish to travel southbound or exit the railway station from trains heading north into Whitchurch.

In the past, the MP has asked questions in the Commons, petitioned station users on the platform seeking improvements, and consistently prompted the government to proceed with implementing the scheme.

Ms Morgan's most recent intervention comes three years after funding for the current stage of development was approved and designs for new lifts were finalised.

Network Rail classified the project as ‘high priority,’ leaving the government's approval of funding under the Access for All Scheme the only remaining step.

Despite Ms Morgan's attempts to learn more, Minister Huw Merriman's latest written confirmation to a Parliamentary question offered no further details or timescales aside from stating an announcement will be made "in due course".

Ms Morgan expressed her disappointment with the delay in her letter to Minister Merriman, stating that Whitchurch residents "are demanding answers".

She urged the Department to speed up the process of making access at the station free and fair for all residents.

Ms Morgan has said: "It is wrong that so many passengers are excluded from using Whitchurch Station and it is wrong that the Government is taking so long to make a decision.

"This scheme must be a top priority.

"Ministers need to stop stalling and urgently approve the proposals."

She also said: "Public transport in the area is already very poor and the town has had a particularly tough time of it recently with the shutting of the Civic Centre.

"Investment in the station would provide some much-needed good news and should be a simple decision for the Minister."