The Right Decision

I'm surprised to hear that disabled access ramps, though in use heavily during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, are not mandatory at all stations. Surely in 2012, we shouldn't even be questioning whether it is possible for someone using a wheelchair to board or alight from a train.

I accept the fact that platform heights vary across the network but this should in no way prohibit anyone from travelling by train regardless of their physical ability. I know of situations where train travel is not possible as there is no way of getting from one platform to another. At many stations, lifts a are not installed and where they are, they are for goods use only or cannot be operated due to a lack of trained staff. Added to this, most trains on the high speed trunk routes are not equipped to accept wheelchairs and in the few cases where it is possible, the user is confined to the vestibule area of the coach for the duration of their journey. Surely this has to be wrong. It is time for the right decisions to be made. We have the know how and we have the technology. There should be no more excuses.