JustBeingCP

Football supporters with disabilities should be able to choose how they travel to football matches without fear of running into difficulties.

As a wheelchair user who loves the beautiful game I missed out on supporting my club’s women’s team when they played there home matches at the Bescot Stadium in Walsall.

This was because there is a lack of step free access at the railway station opposite the stadium meaning that I would be forced to get off the train at the station before the stadium and take a bus the rest of the way.

I believe that this 100% took away my freedom of choice in respect of how I travelled to matches. This led to me deciding that I could no longer support the team in person until things changed.

Since then Aston Villa Women have started playing their home WSL (Women’s Super League) matches at Villa Park in Aston.

It’s pleasing to see that Network Rail and its partners are working to come up with a plan to ensure that those with access needs can travel to matches with confidence by rail if visiting the area.

The big question is why did it take this long to realise that this was an issue not just for supporters but the wider community too.

My message to network rail and its partners is a simple one and this, it’s time for you to stand up and get this done, in 2025 we shouldn’t have to be having conversations of this nature.

If you travel by rail on a regular basis and require assistance to board or disembark services your assisted travel can be booked up to 2 hours before departure in 1 of 3 ways:

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

However you do have a legal right to just turn up and go without booking any assistance prior to travel.

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Cam