The accessibility signage was finally installed at Witton Lane station in Birmingham last Wednesday (31st of January) after what feels like months of campaigning on behalf of Aston Villa’s disabled supporters who travel to and from matches using the rail network.
It will get it’s first test on Wednesday evening (7th of February) when Villa play host to Chelsea at Villa Park in there 4th round FA Cup replay following a 0-0 draw when the sides met at Stanford Bridge on the 26th of January.
There is accessibility signage on both platform’s at the station which says “for mobility assistance, please wait here.A box for wheelchair and mobility scooter users to park themselves in whilst waiting for assistance to arrive has also been created on each of the platforms.
When I met with the team from West Midlands Trains just before Christmas the decision was taken to mount the wall signage next to the station’s departure boards, however this hasn’t been possible on one of the two platforms because of health and safety concerns.
The signage has been attached to the fence on the platform where there were health and safety concerns about it being next to the platform’s departure board.
I would again like to reiterate the message that I gave to all Aston Villa fans who use the rail network when travelling to and from Villa Park in my blog on the 25th of January, Please remember that the wheelchair users using the network to get home from matches will require access to the boxes on each of the platforms. They are there to ensure that we can be seen and accessed by the senior conductor once the train has arrived at the station.
I have worked incredibly hard on this as have a lot of the team at West Midlands Trains for months so it is key that you are aware of the signage and what it is designed to.
I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone at West Midlands Trains who have helped to make the signage at reality at Witton, your dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed.
I apologise for being a massive pain in the bum since our first meeting at Witton last November, I think it is fair to say that it has been worth it from my point of view anyway.
I have written so many blogs on this subject in recent months with the final one coming this Sunday once I have attended Aston Villa’s clash with Manchester United, in the meantime if you would like a reminder of my campaign check out the links below to all of my blogs.
Blog H: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/11/03/why-the-hell-have-you-ignored-me-for-the-last-105-days/.
I will aim to share images and videos of the new accessibility signage at Witton on Sunday when I next visit the station.
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I would like to end by thanking each and everyone of you, my readers and followers for continuing to take the time out of your busy schedules to read my blogs it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Cam
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