Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase has continued her long running campaign for station improvements on the Chase Line by calling for disabled access at Rugeley Trent Valley railway station during a debate in Parliament.
Currently, anyone boarding or disembarking from trains on the northbound platform, can only do so by using the footbridge, with no lift or ramp to connect the platform with the main entrance into the station. This is a serious problem for disabled passengers and the elderly and infirm who have to find other stations to access trains.
Amanda Milling said: “It is hard to believe that in 2017 if you are disabled or have mobility issues that you will either find yourself unable to board a northbound train at Rugeley Trent Valley or unable to get off northbound trains as the access to this platform is only via a footbridge. This means that passengers have to use other stations to get on and off these trains. It is essential that our stations provide access to all passengers and this is why I am calling for improvements to be made at Rugeley Trent Valley.”
The Cannock Chase MP raised the issue with the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon. Chris Grayling MP in a recent debate in the House of Commons, after raising the issue with London Midland and, new franchisee, Abellio who take over the franchise on Monday 10 December.
The Cannock Chase MP added: “Over the last few years I have been campaigning for improvements to be made to our local railway stations, including calling for platforms to be extended and the provision of better station facilities. At Rugeley Trent Valley these improvements need to include full disabled access for all platforms. I will continue to urge all parties involved to make this much needed investment”