To think this is discrimination

[DontTouchTheMoustache]

I accept that I am probably being very ignorant and naive and apologies in advance if this is the case, but I recently moved house to a location near Leeds with a small local train station. I rarely travel by train but today I did with pram for DD. I got on the train no problem then later on the same day returned to the small local station. When I got there is realised that to get out you need to go down a large flight of stairs, under the platform and up a large flight of stairs at the other side. Having a large buggy with me it was an issue but thankfully uickly resolved by a kind stranger who offered to help. However, had it been a person with physical disabilities that required a wheelchair or crutches, I can't imagine how they would get out...it feels horribly discriminatory to me that people with those kind of disabilities are not able to use the train service to that station as there were no lifts or ramps. I don't know if this is commonplace (hence my comment about probably seeming ignorant) as I don't use trains very often but what would somebody do if they weren't aware that there was no access and couldn't get out? I just found it quite shocking.

Hard to modernise doesn't mean impossible to modernise, and even if it'll take time (costs, fitting in with other maintenance) if there was a robustly planned rolling programme and progress could be seen, then it would be quite different.

After all, if a beautiful old station needed a cracked roof fixing so it could be used safely be passengers, that would happen asap.

Though I suppose there are some exceptions - the Tube stations on the very deep lines as further tunnelling is not always possible. Though it's a bit different in London as buses are now accessible

(Unless spaces taken up by other passengers who won't budge - see many threads passim)

Our local station is unmanned and has steps to both platforms -20 on one side and 83 on the other

It's positioned in a valley and the train track is through the hill itself

Can't see how it's physically possible to make it accessible -the 83 steps bend round and are all different sizes, and the 20 steps take you to the bottom of a long steep hill

It's nothing to do with an old building -it would be a feat of engineering

Re London busses: they're are only accessible if and when the driver is prepared to put the ramp out, and park close enough to the kerb for it to be of any use, and stop at the stop you ask them to, not the next one down the steep hill that's easier for them to pull in to. Many drivers see the whole procedure as something problematic, some sail pass pretending to not see you.

According to many of them their ramps are nearly always broken/the disabled space is already occupied by someone/thing other than a disabled person/they can't skew their schedule by manoeuvring into the stop correctly, or if you do manage to get on, you will have to make your own way back from whichever stop they feel is easier to leave you at.

(TBF anecdotally their are also exceptional drivers and routes)

They're ok for a take your time trip, but not a reliable option for most who are working and/or studying who have to be in on time.

They're also no use for those who live on a hill/ have a hill in between them and the stop, unless they have a helper.

Not having a go at anyone, just want the world to know when working/studying London wheelchair users say "can't afford taxis - I have to run a car, but if I can't park, I can't go," there are good reasons and expecting busses to be their solution isn't generally workable.

I do find it quite shocking though that there are such strict rules (quite rightly) about building accessibility, disabled arming spaces, toilets and areas on buses and yet at this station (it's batley train station, think I can say that without being outed) there was just nothing. I was thinking what if someone didn't know and had a job interview or something? The onus shouldn't be on them to check every single journey to make sure, it should be a case of if there is a train station then there is a provision for accessibility

messedup but it doesn't matter if a driver thinks it problematic or simply can't be bothered he bloody well needs to stop and if there is someone not disabled in the space then they have to move. It really is that simple, it doesn't matter if the bus is delayed by a few minutes that is just life, traffic happens etc that you can't forsee and sometimes buses run late, people just deal with it

Ultimately a disables person has no less rights than anyone else so I can't really understand any argument that says they should not be accommodated for, the transport service is for everyone, not just those without disabilities

Unstaffed station near us has about 30 steep steps to the single platform. They are sometimes gritted when it's icy but that's as much improvement as they're ever likely to get. The stations up and down the line have accessible platforms but we have to accept, and hope visitors find out before arriving, that this one is no good if you can't do stairs.

The national rail website has details of all train stations and clearly states where disability access is not possible. In my experience, a disabled person will always check out access when going somewhere new as not everywhere is easy to access.

It does however suck that not everywhere is accessible.

I agree with you. The London underground is really bad for this. It's the 21st century and one of the world's top underground networks should be accessible for everyone but its not! I never take my pram into central on my own, I would struggle to get around so much. I always think its so unfair for wheelchair users.

we have a tiny station with routes to Brum and London and it has 3 platforms - 1. Accessed by steep hill, goes to parking area with v limited DP, 2. and 3. Are stairs. Its unmanned and also on a curve meaning even as able bodied the leap to train is sometimes terrifyingly wide (I am talking well over a foot and often a good step up) if it pulls up a certain way and you choose the wrong place to get on. I reckon BR are on a mission to get rid of it as they constantly claim its not used then cancel the most popular trains that stop there. There was uproar when they tried to get rid of the one with all the school kids on. And yet the car park is constantly full. They need to split the parking to full day and part day I reckon making it easier to use it for more local journeys rather than just commutes which are pushed out of the commute station as they Charge 7 a day for parking whereas this one is currently free

My local station is ramp access only on one side, then you would have to go over a very steep hill to get to other side. Lost count of the number of people I've helped with push chairs but you can't do that for a wheelchair user. It's terrible

The Equalities Act, and Disability Discrimination Act before it aims to level the playing field for disabled people. But it is ineffective when it comes to enforcing changes. Those organisations with integrity following the legislation. And those who don't, just don't.

So it's ok to say we have the same rights as everyone else but my experience has taught me I no longer possess the same value as before I became disabled. I have worked for 15 years, have taken no sick days in last 5 years but am about to lose 4th job in that time. The same length of time I have been disabled. No coincidence but all I can do is collect evidence and take action after I lose my job. But I want to keep it, not start job hunting all over again. Worrying I can't pay the mortgage and the dilemma to take a settlement if offered or go to tribunal. I desperately want to do the right thing and stick it shit employers who discriminate, but I need a job too. And a tribunal is stressful, costs money upfront and leaves my reputation open to being trashed in court. So the security of a few months mortgage payments in the bank has bought my silence in the past. This is how big business gets away with it.

IMHO able bodied who have no experience of disability themselves or spent time with disabled are quite blinkered to the world. This notion that it's illegal or it's not morally right just doesn't cut it. This kind of thing happens all the time and we either have to use every ounce of energy fighting it all day long, or get on as best we can.

DLA/PIP is supposed to help with the extra cost associated with disability. It doesn't go far at all and certainly doesn't ensure regular timely transport to and from work or college unless you get a Motorbility Car. But those eligible for it are losing their cars in the transfer from DLA to PIP and are quite literally stranded now, and losing jobs because of it. Sorry to high jack this thread as more than just transport issues, but this level of everyday discrimination really does affect every part of our lives. As you can tell, I'm tired of fighting and incredibly cynical. After only 5 years.

I used to catch a train from Tonypandy (Rhondda valley) to Cardiff, a bit over 45 minute journey. According to the sign on the platform the nearest station with full disabled access was Cardiff Central.

That is something like 17 stations, Treherbert to Cardiff Central.

I agree it seems unfair. However it's hard to modernise some of these beautiful old stations. Not sure what the answer is.

No, not hard to modernise, just preferable not to for those making the money out of them. Beautiful building versus accessibility? No fucking contest. They're on beautiful for those who can get in to see them