A WARRINGTON Euro MP is campaigning for improved disabled access at the town's train stations after complaints from wheelchair users.
Despite the Trans-Pennine Express franchise being awarded to First Group and Keolis, many disabled travellers are worried that their needs are being ignored.
MEP Brian Simpson has contacted the Strategic Rail Authority to find out when complete disabled access is expected at Warrington Central station.
He said: "One of my constituents frequently travels to Nottingham. She uses Warrington Central station on her outward trip.
"But as she is unable to negotiate the large number of steps to exit Central station, she has to return via Warrington Bank Quay. The return journey takes her five hours."
Disabled passengers travelling from the unmanned Padgate and Sankey stations have to pre-book well in advance, while there are no facilities for disembarking passengers at Sankey if they get in after 2pm.
Robin Etherington, of First Group, confirmed that the Disabled Discrimination Act was not part of the First Group/Keolis bid. But he added: "We are not the ones to put costs in our bid to comply with this act. But that doesn't mean that it won't happen."
Dave Thompson, head of equality and diversity at the Five Boroughs Partnership, and himself a wheelchair user, has blasted the rail authorities for their outdated approach.
"Coming back from Manchester, I have to go past Warrington Central, on to Liverpool, and transfer trains on to the Manchester-bound service, so I can get off at Warrington Central on the Manchester side of the track," he said.
"Even then, I have to come through the goods yard into the station. It's ridiculous."
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