Unfriendly Ramps Approved at Stamford Station!

12th March 2009

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Useless ramps for Stamford Station

The badly planned ramps - intended to comply with disability discimination laws - have been approved by the planning authority.

South Kesteven District Council said that Network Rail can build the new ramps as part of a development to change the shape of the platform.

But the ramps only lead to the footbridge, so people with pushchairs or in wheelchairs still won't be able to get across the tracks.

Gresley Drive neighbourhood watch objected to the plans, wanting money spent on comprehensive disabled facilities as part of any station development.

Network Rail already has permission to make the platform narrower to allow for more freight trains passing through, and their latest application was to lengthen it so that passenger trains with more carriages can use the station.

In order to comply with new development plans regulations, the rail company must install ramps to the waiting room and footbridge - but people will still have to climb the footbridge stairs to change platforms.

Network Rail admits the station will not comply with Disability Discrimination Act laws and says it will look again at altering the footbridge in the future.

What is SKDC thinking of? How could anyone approve such a useless plan? What is the point of the ramps if people can't get over the track?