This evening I went to the FIFA World Cup qualifier between England and Andorra at Villa Park in Birmingham.
As I arrived back at Witton station that is situated a 5 to 10 minute walk or wheel away from the stadium after the match it was an experience to forget.
The feeling of claustrophobia sprung to mind as I saw myself faced with ankles in front of me, with people also climbing over railings to jump the queue into the station.
As I entered the platform there was no ramp waiting on the platform to assist wheelchair users on to trains despite 3 of us waiting.
I finally boarded the waiting train but couldn’t sit in the designated wheelchair space on board because ablebodied supporters were occupying it.
As the train arrived at New Street station in Birmingham my booked passenger assistance failed which left my family having to arrange this on my behalf.
Experiences like this stop me from enjoying what is meant to be an enjoyable birthday present.
My message to the powers at be across the rail network in the Midlands in a clear one and is this, it’s time that you consider putting in a better system for wheelchair users attending matches or events by rail in the region.
This isn’t on and needs to improve today and not in the next 5 or 10 years.
Do you travel by rail on a regular basis and require assistance to board or disembark services, your assisted travel can be booked in 1 of 3 ways up to 2 hours before departure.
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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Cam
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