Local MP Backs Campaign For Accessible Trains

12.42.48pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 25th Jun 2004

David Chidgey backs Campaign for more Accessible Trains

David Chidgey, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, has backed a campaign run by leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire to bring forward the earliest possible date for all rail vehicles to be accessible to disabled people.

David Chidgey said:

"Far too many trains are still inaccessible to disabled people. Lack of accessible transport continues to be a massive obstacle to disabled people holding down jobs and generally being included in the community.

Leonard Cheshire's "All Aboard!" Campaign is highlighting the very real barriers that many disabled people continue to face in accessing the rail networks, and urges the Government to ensure that all trains are made accessible by 2017.

Mr. Chidgey said:

"Public transport by definition should be accessible to all. It is not only the disabled who are discriminated against but many other groups in our community. The campaign by Leonard Cheshire is a great first step. We must ensure that we can all get on board. In Eastleigh I have welcomed South West Train's initiative in introducing state-of-the-art trains with full facilities for wheel chair -bound passengers. But much more needs to be done to ensure full accessibility to the railway.

"I and my Lib Dem colleagues across the South are leading campaigns aimed at ensuring everyone who wants to use the train can. In Romsey we are pressing Wessex Trains to follow best practice and provide adequate storage space for cyclists. There is a lot of catching up to do after the botched Conservative privatisation of our railways and a Labour Government that continues to overlook these discriminatory issues.

A Parliamentary Committee report into the Draft Disability Discrimination Bill has backed the Leonard Cheshire charity's campaign and David Chidgey has added his support by signing a Parliamentary Early Day Motion highlighting the issue.

ENDS