Monday, August 20, 2007
The continuing saga of Newport Station
Despite having been one of those who has missed a train from Newport due to a lengthy change of platform announcement in Welsh, followed by the English, I think that a far more serious concern about this station is its disabled access.
Dr Kevin Fitzpatrick expresses his understandable disbelief in this morning's Western Mail that a new platform at the station is inaccessible to disabled people and is likely to remain that way for some time. In fact lifts will be in place in time for the 2010 Ryder Cup, a situation that Kevin describes as putting golfers’ needs above those of disabled customers.
The paper tells us that the only means of access to the 270-metre Platform 4 is a long walk through a car park or through the station over a footbridge. But both routes are too difficult for passengers with mobility problems. As a result Network Rail is currently paying cabbies £3 to ferry passengers with mobility problems from other parts of Newport station to the platform.
Kevin also points out that the station does not have hearing loops for hearing impaired passengers. I can attest to the fact that electronic noticeboards were in short supply and not placed in helpful locations when I was last there. So, no matter what language is used first, some people may still miss their train.
Dr Kevin Fitzpatrick expresses his understandable disbelief in this morning's Western Mail that a new platform at the station is inaccessible to disabled people and is likely to remain that way for some time. In fact lifts will be in place in time for the 2010 Ryder Cup, a situation that Kevin describes as putting golfers’ needs above those of disabled customers.
The paper tells us that the only means of access to the 270-metre Platform 4 is a long walk through a car park or through the station over a footbridge. But both routes are too difficult for passengers with mobility problems. As a result Network Rail is currently paying cabbies £3 to ferry passengers with mobility problems from other parts of Newport station to the platform.
Kevin also points out that the station does not have hearing loops for hearing impaired passengers. I can attest to the fact that electronic noticeboards were in short supply and not placed in helpful locations when I was last there. So, no matter what language is used first, some people may still miss their train.
