‘Disgraceful’ Whitchurch Station decision slammed by MP
North Shropshire MP, Helen Morgan, has described a government decision not to fund access improvements at a county railway station as “disgraceful”.
It comes after the Rail Minister announced the Government will not be providing step-free access at Whitchurch Station under the next phase of the Access for All Programme.
This is despite Network Rail designating the plans as ‘high priority’ and designs for a lift already being in place.
It has taken Labour Ministers 18 months to make the decision after pausing all accessibility schemes after the 2024 election. That followed a commitment from the Conservative government to improve the station which it is now clear was never actually funded.
Helen and residents in the town have long campaigned for upgrades to the station, where wheelchair users and those with pushchairs or mobility needs must navigate 44 steps to reach Platform 1 and board trains heading towards Shrewsbury.
Helen said Thursday’s decision by Lord Hendy showed that the Government was “determined to disadvantage Shropshire at every turn”.
Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, said: “This disgraceful decision suggests the Government is determined to disadvantage Shropshire at every turn.
“The Conservatives made a promise they didn’t have the money to keep, and now Shropshire has yet again been snubbed by a Labour government that doesn’t care about rural areas.
“People with access needs are being discriminated against. For them, there might as well not be a second platform at Whitchurch. I’ll be making this clear to the Rail Minister and have requested an urgent meeting.”
In his letter outlining the refusal, Rail Minister Lord Hendy said the works would not be going ahead due to affordability.
The letter reads: “In May 2024, the previous government announced feasibility work on 50 stations without indicating how the delivery of such schemes would be funded, raising significant stakeholder expectations.
“This government is committed to a rigorous approach and only making commitments we believe are affordable and would represent value for money to passengers and taxpayers. We are of the view that funding accessibility upgrades at Whitchurch station at this time would not be consistent with that approach.”
Helen is determined to ensure that step-free access is delivered and is urging residents to share their experiences of public transport with her to help support the campaign. She also has a petition which people can sign on her website.
