Passengers at a Wirral station are still having to add miles to their journeys or even be carried over railway bridges, despite campaigns going back years to add lifts to allow disabled access.
Those who use wheelchairs or have trouble climbing stairs are unable to use Rock Ferry station without having to either travel miles to a station with a lift, then change trains and come back on themselves, or be carried up the steps of the railway bridge and then down the other side.
These issues remain ongoing, despite Rock Ferry station being designated as the second most urgent station in need of a lift in the 2018 report, Nomination of Stations for Access for All Funding by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, after St Michaels.
But while stations further down the list Hillside (number eight), Hunts Cross (number four) and Birkenhead Park (number five) have all been granted funding - as well as St Michaels - passengers at Rock Ferry are still waiting.
Clare O’Hagan, the Labour Rock Ferry candidate in the local elections has launched a campaign. She said: “Many Rock Ferry residents face difficulties doing simple things the rest of us take for granted - getting to work, shopping, accessing services or leisure activities.
"Many are socially isolated as a result of obstacles to travel. This is unfair. Improving access at our stations would improve people's lives but also supports business and the local economy.”
Similar projects, such as the addition of lifts to Meols station, have been funded through the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme.
Rock Ferry Labour councillor Yvonne Nolan uses a wheelchair and is all too familiar with the issues of the station.
She said: “It’s completely impossible for anyone in a wheelchair, or even someone with poor mobility, or trying to manage small children and a pushchair, to use the footbridge.
"It’s not acceptable the people in Rock Ferry have to go to other stations to get to Liverpool or Chester. I will be supporting Clare in her fight to improve access for all.”
Birkenhead MP, Mick Whitley, has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, to ask why the government has still not funded disabled access at Rock Ferry station and to ask him what he plans to do to fix the problem.
Mr. Whitley said: “The ability to travel on public transport is important for all of us and there should be no barriers to those with restricted mobility.
"Staff at the stations are very helpful. However, it should not be necessary to have to arrange assistance before you can travel and to deal with steps and steep slopes.
“This is 2021 and entry to stations and between platforms should be accessible on an equal basis which respects the dignity of all .”
To view a petition calling for equal access for all Rock Ferry residents, click here.
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