Call for end to '19th century infrastructure' at Norfolk railway station
A frustrated MP has called for an end to "19th century infrastructure" at a Norfolk railway station where disabled passengers are not able to get to one of the platforms.
South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough is pressing for a government debate on railway accessibility, spurred by the situation at Wymondham station.
Campaigners want step-free access at Wymondham Railway Station (Image: Wymondham Access Group (WAG))
The southbound platform - platform two - can only be reached via a narrow Victorian footbridge, with no step free access.
It means passengers with mobility issues have to catch a train north to Norwich, where there is access, so they can take a train to travel southwards.
The government said last year the station would get a share of £350m through its Access for All railway upgrade scheme but it has yet to be finalised.
Labour MP Mr Goldsborough raised the issue in Parliament on Thursday, when he pushed ministers on the matter.
Ben Goldsborough (Image: Labour Party)
Mr Goldsborough said: "The wonderful Wymondham train station in my constituency will mark its 180th birthday in July, which is great news, but we cannot bring out the cake just yet because it is not fully accessible. The centre platform cannot be reached by all.
"May I call for a debate in government time on how we can get Access for All funding for all the stations up and down the country that desperately need it?"
READ MORE: Campaign for future of Norfolk and Suffolk railway stations
Lucy Powell, leader of the House of Commons, replied: "It is raised with me regularly at these sessions, and I know ministers will come to this House and update us shortly on the review of the Access for All funding.
"I encourage him and others to apply for a debate because I think it would be very popular indeed."
Mr Goldsborough, who previously joined campaigners for a meeting with the transport secretary about the issue, said: "There would be no better birthday present for Wymondham station than to finally make it fully accessible.
"It's 2025 and disabled passengers should not still be facing 19th century infrastructure."
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