Monday, July 21, 2008

Welsh train not accessible as promised

From the BBC:

The train company behind Wales' newest direct intercity service has not introduced carriages adapted for disabled users on time.

Wrexham and Shropshire had specified a deadline of July for its Wrexham to London service, which opened in April.

Now it says it is unable to set any date by which access will be upgraded.

One disabled man, Emmett Roberts, of Wrexham, said: "It appears that top nobs and able-bodied people are top of the list of customers for this line."

Mr Roberts said that access to the direct service was particularly important for disabled users because changing trains can be very difficult.

"I am quite appalled, as a frequent rail user, that the new train got the go-ahead without being able to take wheelchair users," he said. "I think it's disgusting in this day and age."

Wrexham and Shropshire said it had been given permission to operate the service in autumn 2007.

Carriages that were not adapted for disabled users were hired so that the service could open on time while specialist rolling stock was adapted.