Campaigners for step-free access at Ash Vale Station left disappointed
The hopes of campaigners for step-free access at Ash Vale railway station have been dashed after it emerged millions of pounds worth of funding is not in place.
Making the station accessible to all was one of seven infrastructure projects agreed by Surrey County Council’s cabinet last Tuesday (October 26).
Ash Vale Station was placed in a set of phase one schemes based on the “availability of external funding”.
Senior councillors agreed the county council would contribute £300,000 to the Ash Vale project to leverage more than £5million from Network Rail.
A public report from the council said: “The schemes have been recommended for implementation based on the availability of external funding, are supported by the relevant district or borough, are largely designed and ready to deliver.”
However at the end of last week a Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said: “As of now, no funding has been confirmed.
”We are aware of the proposals developed for improving accessibility around Ash Vale station, and we continue to work alongside Network Rail and South Western Railway to identify funding solutions.”
A spokesperson for Surrey County Council today said it was seeking clarification from the DfT and Network Rail.
He said: “The bulk of the funding for the accessibility works at Ash Vale Station is from the Department for Transport, and we’re currently seeking clarification from them and Network Rail over the project’s status.
“Surrey County Council approved its contribution at its cabinet meeting last week, and remains committed to supporting these vital improvements.”
As for the other six priority infrastructure projects agreed, he said: “There are no changes there and the funding streams remain as set out in the cabinet paper.”
A Network Rail spokesperson said Ash Vale “did not meet the criteria” for the Department for DfT’s Access for All funding and was “looking to get money from somewhere else”.
This has bitterly disappointed the 2,700 people who over three years have signed a petition to grant step-free access at the station, which can still only be accessed by flights of stairs.
Petitioner Daniel McHugh said the reaction to news it would at last be made accessible was “amazing” and “brought home exactly why I started the campaign”.
Following the bad news from the DfT he is “expecting an uproar”.
He added: “I am pleased recent events have raised the profile of the campaign and the need for action.
“I remain committed to the campaign and will continue to push until the necessary funding is secured.
“I thank the local community, our local MP Michael Gove and local councillors for their ongoing commitment to the campaign.”
He said wheelchair users were forced to use alternative stations, which could add half an hour onto their journey to London.
The Equality Act 2010 requires all station operators to take reasonable steps to ensure they do not discriminate against disabled people.
One Ash Vale resident who signed the petition said: “I cannot believe the station doesn’t have a lift. I have been using the station for over 35 years.
“Many years ago as a Mum I had a very difficult job of carrying a pushchair, baby and toddler with no help up and down the stairs. Now I offer help to parents with pushchairs, all these years on.”