Action to make stations 'step-free' blocked

Last night, Labour Council bosses bizarrely blocked a proposal to help make more local stations become "step-free".

Speaking after the meeting, Lib Dem lead councillor Anthony Fairclough said:

"For several years local Liberal Democrats have campaigned to make local stations step-free. Many nearby stations are currently only accessible by stairs, presenting significant difficulties for wheelchair users, parents with prams and others with mobility problems.

"Liberal Democrat councillors have worked hard to build the case for lifts or ramps at these stations. In 2019 Liberal Democrats successfully pressed the Council to accept a proposal that it must prioritise accessible stations, and helped encourage the train operator SWR to make a bid to the main Government fund to make improvements at Raynes Park and Motspur Park stations.

"Rail companies and Network Rail often tell us that the 'game changer' is already having engineering plans in place - putting us at the front of the queue when funding opportunities come up - which was the reason for our proposal last night.

"Despite Labour councillors voting to block our proposal when they didn't even bother to argue against it - I was pleased that the Council's finance director did confirm to me that the Council has match funding in place for improvements at two stations."