A FUNDING bid to make Whitchurch Railway Station more accessible to people with disabilities has been submitted.
Transport for Wales and Network Rail have made the joint bid under the Access for All scheme which would pay for the changes needed after petitions were launched by residents.
Details of how much the bid is for have not been revealed.
Currently anyone wishing to use Platform One must manage 44 steps in two flights, plus a footbridge, which means disabled people, those with mobility issues and those with prams and pushchairs, or heavy luggage are not able to board trains heading southbound or get off services arriving at platform one, so they are forced to use taxis to travel to more disabled access friendly stations like Prees and Wrenbury.
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North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has written to the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to support the application and said it was ridiculous there are stations which are of no use to people with disabilities.
She added: "It is ridiculous that it is 2022 and yet we still have railway stations which are of no use to people with disabilities or mobility issues.
"I am pleased that there now appears to be some movement towards finally making Whitchurch Railway Station accessible for everyone.
I've written to Transport Secretary @grantshapps urging him to support funding to finally make Whitchurch Railway Station fully accessible.
— Helen Morgan MP (@HelenMorganMP) May 12, 2022
It is ridiculous that in 2022 passengers unable to navigate steps are forced to travel eight miles to reach an accessible station. pic.twitter.com/Wh6ODfvjXM
"I am sure the Secretary of State will agree with me that people should not have to navigate steps to access the station and I look forward to him backing the funding application."
The outcome of funding will be known by the end of the year.
A petition to improve access was launched earlier this month by resident Joshua Katithrob and currently has more than 400 signatures.
It is available here.
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