JustBeingCP

Witton Lane station is situated just a five to ten walk/wheel away from Villa Park and is ready to welcome the supporters of Southampton in the next few hours for the clubs second home match of the festive season.

The team from West Midlands Trains (WMT) installed accessible waiting spaces on the platforms in early 2024 after I met with senior officials from the operator last November to share with them the challenges that I and others faced when using the station after matches to get home.

My equal access campaign to get stations across the region more accessible started in early 2023 after I realised that we, the disabled community weren’t receiving the same level of service on railways than our able-bodied peers.

Enough was enough, we the disabled community were sick to the back teeth of encountering issues every time that we travelled from the station, we deserved an acceptable level of service just like our able-bodied counterparts.

As you will know by now I wrote to Aston Villa about the issue of accessibility at the station for those who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other walking aids and they passed my letter onto the team at West Midlands Trains (WMT).

It was at this point when the idea of having two different types of signage around accessibility was created and they are:

A fence sign that is mounted on a wooden platform fence in the form of a square that is blue and white and has a white wheelchair logo and the words “for mobility assistance, please wait here” inside.

A wall sign that is mounted on a brick station shelter in the form of a square which is blue and white and has a white wheelchair logo with the words “for mobility assistance, please wait here” inside.

When supporters arrive back at Witton after the match later which kicks off at 3pm they should head to the dedicated waiting spaces that can be found on either platform, I would also recommend making yourself known to the event station staff once you have arrived at Witton before the match, this is so they know you will be travelling post match.

My message to other supporters using the station to get home this afternoon is a simple one and this, please be mindful of where you stand on the platforms as those requiring assistance to board services may need access to the spaces at all times.

There are 3 different ways that your assisted travel can be booked up to 2 hours before departure and they are

By Phone: 0800 024 8998 or by using Next Generation Text – 18001 0800 024 8998.

Online: https://booking.passengerassistance.com.

By using the App: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/passenger-assistance/id1542190496.

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I wish all those attending the match later a safe, successful and enjoyable afternoon and thank them for taking the time to read this reminder about the accessibility provision that is on offer for supporters at Witton who use the rail network when travelling to and from matches at the home of Aston Villa.

Thank you must also go to you my regular loyal readers and social media followers who continually take the time out of your busy schedules to read my latest post, it doesn’t go unnoticed and is of course very much appreciated.

Cam