Cllr Anthony Fairclough, Cllr Simon McGrath and Cllr Paul Kohler: Working hard for Wimbledon, Raynes Park & Wimbledon Chase. Learn more
by Wimbledon Town & Dundonald Lib Dems on 12 October, 2017
Lack of ‘step-free’ access at Raynes Park Station
Passengers with mobility problems, those carrying luggage or using prams or buggies cannot access Raynes Park station very easily.
Platforms 3 and 4 are only accessible via stairs. These platforms are used by passengers returning from London and travelling to Surrey and beyond.
With almost 4.5 million “entries and exits” made at Raynes Park Station in 2015/16, it’s a heavily used station, and should be accessible to everyone.
What are the local Lib Dems doing?
We have been campaigning with local residents to put pressure on the train operators to put in ‘step-free’ access at both Raynes Park and Motspur Park stations since 2014. To get them to take us seriously, we submitted a petition which thousands of residents backed.
We uncovered that South West Trains had the opportunity to bid for a pot of money from central government to make the improvements, but failed to make a bid.
In August, First MTR (“South Western Railway”) took over the operation of the train services and station management from South West Trains. We asked South Western Railway about accessibility, and they have said they are committed to maintaining the stations and understanding, and meeting, the needs of the local community.
We’re continuing our petition!
What next?
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