CAMPAIGNERS fighting for improved disabled access at Abergavenny Railway Station last week joined forces with local councillors to press train bosses to install a new passenger bridge. ??Activists from Abergavenny Rail Access Campaign told a council meeting last week the current lack of disabled provision was an ‘insult’ to those less able-bodied, and a ‘long fight’ was underway to right the wrong.

The original petition, started just a fortnight ago, ballooned by 500 signatures in the last week, with over 1,200 locals penning their support for a new bridge with passenger lifts. ??Calling the current arrangement an ‘insult’, local campaigner Jenny Barnes told councillors that ‘not many’ disabled people used the station as it was ‘too much hassle’.

Currently, those needing assistance to cross the bridge to the platform have to phone 24-hours ahead. Some travellers have been told to head 20 miles to Hereford station – in the opposite direction – before heading south again, a detour adding 50 mins to their journey. ??Mrs Barnes, a veteran campaigner for disability rights, said the fight has support from higher levels of government.

“David Davies, Nick Ramsay have worked with us as did Huw Edwards, the previous MP. They fully support it. All the MPs and AMs we have spoken to have been very supportive. They have complained too, that services providers have let us and them down. ?

?“This is not just about disabled people. It is about a public service that is not serving the public. We want support from everyone. We need to make sure that the investment being made goes into access for all people.

“It’s particularly bad for young people with disabilities who are trying to gain more independence,” added Mrs Barnes. ??Councillor Maureen Powell, for Castle Ward, pushed for the town council to get behind the campaign, before adding, “It is ludicrous for a station as big as Abergavenny’s to not have proper access. It is so wrong that disabled people are treated like this.”

After reading The Chronicle’s August report which detailed how disabled passengers were forced to travel tens of miles out of their way to get on a train, Barbara Crow got together with friends, sparking the grassroots campaign.

?“I got very cross when I saw the Chronicle article a few weeks ago,” said Mrs Crow. “So, I got together with one or two friends and it went from there, to a group of local people getting together. ?

“We just feel very strongly that it is very discriminatory. Why should anyone have to ring 24 hours ahead to get on a train? It is absolute nonsense!” ??

The alliance with Abergavenny Town Council was already in motion this week, with campaigners taking to Abergavenny’s High Street to drum up support from locals.

Mayor David Simcock spent Saturday afternoon, and Tuesday morning with campaigners out on the streets where locals added their signatures to the burgeoning list, with over 1,200 names in total, he said.

“We congratulate and support the efforts of local people campaigning for full access to the platforms at Abergavenny station. We think it is a disgrace, that in 2017, people with a physical disability, parents with young children in pushchairs, the elderly or passengers with heavy luggage do not yet have this,” he said.

“The council will support the campaign in every way we can, and it calls upon Network Rail, and Arriva Trains Wales to expedite such full access as a matter of urgency. We call on those responsible to make sure sufficient funding is set aside.” ??

The Mayor added that the campaign was a cross-party and community effort, with Father Mark Soady of St Mary’s Church joining with councillors and ex-councillor and ‘community champion’ John Prosser, out canvassing on Tuesday morning. ?

?An MCC spokesman, said, “Monmouthshire’s heritage officers feel that it is achievable to provide a lift for passengers to access both platforms. We would welcome a suitably designed proposal and would encourage Arriva to engage us in pre-application discussions.” ?To sign the petition visit:https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/we-need-a-bridge-with-pedestrian-lifts-at-abergavenny-station