Edinburgh MP urges Network Rail to rethink Waverley access

Mark Lazarowicz MP has written to Network Rail calling for them to meet with organisations representing disabled people to urgently find a solution to ensure disabled access to Waverley Station now that it is closed to cars and taxis.

That means it is no longer possible for a disabled person to be driven to or picked up from the waiting room close to platforms.

Mark stepped up the pressure to find a way forward after he was contacted by a number of constituents, including one living in sheltered housing who was very concerned about just how she would manage an upcoming journey from the station.

Mark said:-“It is vital that Network Rail urgently consult with local Edinburgh organisations representing persons with disabilities about how access can be provided to the station for disabled people.

“Disabled passengers now face particular difficulties with the closure of Waverley Station to vehicles and alternative entrances are some way from many of the platforms.

“One possibility might be at the very least a shelter could be provided at the new Calton Road drop-off point to allow disabled people, and indeed others, to wait there pending either pick up or assistance by station staff.

“Disabled people must be not be prevented or deterred from travelling because of the difficulty of using the station.”

Mark has been involved with the issue of disabled access to transport in a number of ways and spoke in a debate in January at Westminster on audio-visual announcements on buses.

He has worked closely with the Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance, an organisation representing the views of disabled people on transport issues, and won a reprieve for the UK-wide body, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), when the current Government proposed to abolish it.