I don’t think the Department for Transport will do anything about the inaccessibility of Ledbury railway station in Herefordshire

Despite wanting the Department for Transport to fund accessibility improvements at Ledbury railway station in Herefordshire, I don’t think they will because there is a perfectly reasonable solution to solve the problem.

Disabled rail passengers wanting to travel from Hereford to Ledbury by rail, are advised to travel up the line to the next railway station, Colwall and change trains there.

Passengers with disabilities or mobility issues don’t have to pay any extra money to travel between the stations just to change trains and return in the opposite direction at Ledbury.

West Midlands Railway, who manage the station recently told me that if challenged by revenue inspectors whilst on board a train changing direction between the two stations (Ledbury and Colwall) all I have to say is that I cannot get off in Ledbury due to the eastbound platform being inaccessible.

This is because the eastbound platform at the station is inaccessible to those with disabilities or mobility issues meaning that I am unable to leave the station independently if I take the train to Ledbury at present.

 Earlier this month officials at the Department for Transport announced that they would be cancelling the access for all funding previously promised to the project looking at the accessibility of the station. 

Ledbury railway station hasn’t been accessible to those with disabilities or mobility issues, my entire lifetime and I really don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon.

Recently I urged the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP and the Minister for Rail and HS2 , Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE to reverse this decision as soon as it is physically possible.

The inaccessibility of Ledbury Station will not change in my lifetime because there is simply no funding being given to the cause. 

Being gutted by the news is an understatement however I know that there are other ways that we can as a community travel to the likes of the market town of Ledbury.

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It is only right that I take this opportunity to place on record my thanks once again to the incredible team at West Midlands Railway who have gone above and beyond in recent years to ensure that the stations they manage are as accessible as they can be to all.

Their work hasn’t gone unnoticed and is very much appreciated.

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

Cam

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