Child poverty in Merton - papering over the cracks
Cllr Anthony Fairclough, Cllr Simon McGrath and Cllr Paul Kohler MP: Working hard for Wimbledon, Raynes Park & Wimbledon Chase. Learn more
by Wimbledon Town & Dundonald Lib Dems on 1 April, 2017
Email to First MTR, after it was announced they will take over the South Western Train franchise later this year.
Dear Mike
I’ve been given your contact details as someone to approach with a question about First MTR’s acquisition of the South Western Franchise.
Since 2014, we have campaigned with residents for step-free access at Raynes Park and Motspur Park stations, both currently operated by SWT.
Raynes Park Station had nearly 4.5 million entries & exits in 2015/16 – and whilst it has a ramp to access platforms going towards central London, platforms in the other direction are only accessible via steps. This means wheelchair users, those with mobility problems and parents with prams and buggies can only use the station going one way.
Motspur Park Station had 1.2 million entries and exits in 2015/16, neither platform has step free accessibility. It is not easily served by bus routes.
We entered into correspondence with the DfT, NR and SWT on this, and submitted a 1400-strong petition. Ultimately, after much correspondence we were able to uncover that unlike other stations it operates, SWT did not put forward either Raynes Park nor Motspur Park for funding from Access for All.
A SWT spokesman eventually told the Wimbledon Guardian in 2015 that: “The nearest stations to Motspur Park and Raynes Park are already fully accessible and therefore any funding bid would not have met the necessary criteria” (this is not the reasoning they had put forward to us, which initially seemed to imply they hadn’t met the criteria on application, but was contradicted by the DfT that said applications had not been received).
Expecting passengers with heavy luggage or buggies, and those who cannot manage the stairs, to go to a station that is not their nearest one seems unreasonable – especially when SWT only chose to apply for funding to improve eg New Malden at the same time as it could have applied to improve Raynes Park and Motspur Park.
Similarly, it’s not enough to say that people can call the “Passenger Assist” service; life just doesn’t work like that. We believe that real equality means everyone should be able to access the trains without huge extra effort.
We are aware that both stations may be significantly developed if Crossrail 2 goes ahead. But it may not, and even if it does, it may take 10-15 years. The stations should not be allowed to fall into disrepair in this period.
Therefore, we’d like to ask:
All best wishes
Anthony Fairclough
On behalf of Merton Liberal Democrats
6 Comments
Unfortunately you have no idea of how to produce a solution to motspur park station access. Apart from removing houses and land full access to the island platform will never be achieved. I would like to see your proposals
I think there have been far more complicated engineering problems solved by our engineers than this – a solution similar to Earl’s Court lifts to the high level walk way might work. But I think the point is, if the people responsible for the station aren’t trying to come up with a solution there won’t be a solution. It’s not like they’re saying that it’s too expensive or difficult to resolve, they’re just waiting for Crossrail 2. Which might take 15 years. If you’re happy with that, fair enough.
Firstly thank you for raising the point of step free access which is long overdue for motspur park. I also note that the pedestrian link bridge is dilapidated and in need of maintenance. It’s life is clearly shortened by the lack of maintenance – rust has set in entire structure. Although it appears structurally sound, that might not be so in the medium term if an evaluation was done.
Thanks Fiona, completely agree. We’ve recently been in touch with First MTR – the new station/service operators – asking both about step-free access and maintenance of the stations. We’ll be sending out some information asap.
Thank you. Looking forward to a response, and more – action 🙂
Raynes Park station development is long over due and steps free is a must have