Earlier today (19th January 2026) I visited the railway station in Ledbury, Herefordshire to see for myself as a wheelchair user how inaccessible the station is for members of the disabled community.
I wasn’t at all shocked nor surprised at what I found when I wheeled onto the one accessible platform at the station, which can be found on the same side as the stations car park and exit.
Last Friday (16th January 2026) it was announced by the Department for Transport that funding for accessibility improvements at a number of railway stations across the nation (including Ledbury) had been cancelled.
This afternoon, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP and the Minister for Rail and HS2, Lord Hendy of Richmond CBE about the cancellation of funding and how it will impact the local residents of the town and those who visit it.
It was only right that I pointed out to the Secretary of State and the Rail Minister that this decision will stop the disabled community from being able to travel by rail to the town, which I feel takes away our freedom of choice in respect to how we get their.
The decision in my view should be reversed with immediate effect because it is 100% not the right one for residents of our beautiful county and those who chose to visit it using the railways.
Due to the inaccessibility of the station those who need step free access to the entire station, currently have to with the support of the stations signaller cross the tracks at the end of the platforms or travel up the line to the next station, Colwall and return to Ledbury from there after changing platforms.
To navigate this issue I travelled by bus to the market town, using my concessionary bus pass and then returned home by rail from the station because I was on the right platform at the station to board a train home.
A change in decision around this issue needs happen as soon as possible and not in 5 or 10 years time when it suits, all I want to do as a wheelchair user is travel to the other beautiful parts of Herefordshire when it suits and not when I am told I can.
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Cam
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