JustBeingCP

This morning (Monday 22nd of May, 2023) I spoke to BBC Hereford and Worcester’s Elliot Webb on their breakfast phone in about how disabled passengers are treated when travelling on the railway.

I shared my experiences of travelling to Aston Villa matches by rail and how frustrating that experience can be

Elliot also asked me how the changes to rail timetables will affect me in the coming weeks and months as someone who relies on trains to stay independent.

I recalled how I’m having to travel via Newport next month on my way to a meeting with the department of transport.

When asked if the disabled community are consulted about changes to timetables I explained that this only happens at a national level.

I also went onto reference the letter that I sent to Huw Merriman MP, the Minister for Rail and HS2 about the issue of passenger assistance and how it needs to be improved throughout the nation.

My letter dated the 9th of April this year speaks about the response that I received on Wednesday the 22nd of March from WMT (West Midlands Trains) about some of the concerns that I raised with them in an earlier letter.

As I have mentioned in a previous blog they (West Midlands Trains) spoke about redoubling efforts to ensure that they have as many trained staff members on hand to assist wheelchair users and those with other mobility issues back onto trains after the match has concluded.

They also said in response to my concerns that they are reviewing what travel advice is given to supporters on match-days in partnership with Aston Villa, this is particularly with regards to the pre booked assistance offered to supporters.

My message to Minister Merriman is a simple one and is this, please consider both engaging with us as a community and reviewing the passenger assistance that is currently offered across the nation to us.

I wrote a passionate letter to you as the Minister for Rail and HS2 in early April about this very issue because I’m fed up of it and it cannot be allowed to continue.

I would be open to meeting with you in the not to distant future so that we can discuss my experiences in detail so that you along with your staff at the DFT (Department for Transport) can learn from them.

I have also shared the letter dated Sunday the 9th of April with the Right Hon Jesse Norman MP who is my local MP and I believe one of your ministerial colleagues at the Department for Transport.

It is disappointing that the disabled community haven’t been consulted about these changes at regional and local levels because we are the ones that this will affect the most.

I may be forced to stop using the railway when travelling across the nation because of these issues.

My message to the rail companies of the United Kingdom is a simple one.

In future, will you please consider consulting with the disabled communities across the nation as we are the ones who use the rail network to travel round independently.

I plan to continue using the rail network but will reevaluate that decision if the level of service received gets worse.

I am also shocked that Johnny Wiseman, the passenger experience director at West Midlands Trains hasn’t acknowledged my latest letter which talks about the experiences that I received following the Nottingham Forest match in April.

I know that this a very short and boring blog but I wanted to share with you, my readers and followers what I said live on BBC Hereford and Worcester about this issue.

I would to sincerely thank all of my readers and followers for taking the time out of your busy schedules to read my latest blog.

Cam