MORE than 300 people have signed a petition calling for disabled access to one of the platforms to be improved in Whitchurch railway station.

Currently, passengers are only able to access the southbound platform 1 if they are able to to access the steps to the bridge needed to cross the railway line.

The petition was organised by Joshua Katithrob, who lives in the town.

Mr Katithrob described the current situation concerning accessing platform 1 as "discriminatory" and called on Whitchurch residents, Whitchurch Town Council and Shropshire Council to support the petition.

He said: "Whitchurch train station only has steps as means of access to the opposing platform for the Shrewsbury train.

"This discriminates those who require disabled access under section 20 of the Equality Act 2010.

"It also discriminates against those who have children in prams, or those who have heavy luggage and must carry luggage up and over the bridge.

"The proposal is simple, we are asking for the residents of Whitchurch, Whitchurch Council and Shropshire Council to support this petition.

"Whitchurch has an estimated population of approximately 10,000 people so with 2,500 signatures, at least a quarter of the population, want change."

Councillor Peggy Mullock of Shropshire Council said she contacted the unitary authority's Cabinet member for highways, Cllr Dean Carroll, to raise the issue.

Cllr Mullock said: "I have noted the petition and I have emailed the cabinet member who is Dean Carroll to ask him to contact the operator.

"I am also planning to put a question to the next cabinet meeting at Shropshire Council to ask if they could take the issue up yet again and see if we can get some action.

"I was at cabinet last week and asked what I should do and they said email and a question and you can have it put on the agenda, so that is what I have done.

"This town has been trying for years to get some action."

Cllr Carroll confirmed he was contacted by Cllr Mullock and said Shropshire Council would be offering its support to Whitchurch.

He added: "Cllr Peggy Mullock has made me aware of the concerns.

"I fully support her and the community."

Network Rail was asked for their response to the petition.

You can find the petition via https://www.change.org/p/install-alternative-means-of-access-at-whitchurch-train-station?redirect=false