Letter: Call For Local Step-Free Station Access

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Letter to the Editor

Last year a petition was signed by a staggering 1,400 residents calling for access improvements to both Motspur and Raynes Park train stations. 

This huge petition, organised by local Liberal Democrats, couldn’t have sent a more powerful message to both South West Trains and Network Rail of the urgent need to start ensuring these two stations are fully accessible.

Instead, we now discover that South West Trains did not even bother putting together a bid for funding from the Department for Transport’s “Access for All” fund to pay for these much needed changes.

Train stations should be accessible to everyone, including disabled and older people and also parents with prams and buggies. Step free stations are also helpful for cyclists who wish to take their bikes on trains at off peak hours or at the weekends.

The campaign by West Barnes councillor Mary-Jane Jeanes and Merton Liberal Democrats to finally ensure full access at these train stations has my full support.

Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group
Deputy Chair Transport Committee
Deputy Chair Police and Crime Committee

www.carolinepidgeon.org
LONDONASSEMBLY Liberal Democrat Group
City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA

July 14, 2015