This time two years ago I didn’t realise that a railway station on the outskirts of Birmingham was about to be the scene of change for passengers with disabilities or mobility issues.
Having supported Coventry’s sky blue side since 2014, last year I decided that some independence should be given back to the disabled supporters attending matches in CV6 who wanted to travel by rail.
I understand more than most what challenge our community face when travelling around the region by rail, especially to football matches.
In the early part of 2023 I decided to write a letter to West Midlands railway about what I was experiencing on the platforms at railway station’s managed by the operator as a wheelchair user across the region.
After months of waiting for a response from the operator and enlisting the help of then Minister for Rail and HS2 at the Department for Transport , Huw Merriman MP, I was finally given the opportunity to meet with officials from the operator at one of the stations they manage in the region to discuss my experience as a disabled rail passenger
Once I showed all those in attendance, what I and others experienced after matches at the station, a discussion was had around what could be done to sort the issue.
It was at this point that I suggested that they (the operator) should consider trialing waiting spaces and signage on the platforms at the station.
A number of months ago the platforms at Coventry Arena railway station joined the movement and saw the spaces and signage installed on them.
Signage mirroring the same messaging was also installed directly above the spaces on lampposts near to where the spaces are located on the platforms.
Since January 2024 the now publicly funded operator have installed the accessibility tools at a number of stations they are responsible for across the region and those are:
Aston, Coventry Arena, The Hawthorns, Kenilworth, Lye, Selly Oak, Telford Central, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Shenstone, Blake Street, Chester Road, Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield, Erdington, Gravelly Hill, Four oaks, Lichfield City, Witton Lane and Tile Hill.
My message to all of the Coventry City fan base is this, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support in the last couple of years whilst this project has taken shape.
Without your unwavering support since the installation took place at Coventry Arena station in the last year or so, none of this would’ve been possible to achieve.
Hopefully experience for those using the rail network to attend matches at the CBS Arena as members of the disabled community which may have its ups and downs, however your support makes all of that worthwhile.
Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that if you see one of us trying to board a train at Coventry Arena station with the support of staff, please move down to the next available door of the train so that we are able to safely board at the designated door of the train.
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It is right that I once again take the opportunity to thank the incredible team at West Midlands Railway for there Incredible support in the last couple of years, which has ensured that our community can travel to matches at the CBS Arena by rail with ease.
This wasn’t unnoticed and is as always very much appreciated.
Finally, thank you to each and everyone of you, my loyal readers and social media followers who continually take the time out of your busy schedules to read my latest posts as always it doesn’t go unnoticed and is very much appreciated.
Cam
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