‘Disappointment’ as plans to improve disability access at Sleaford railway station are dropped
Sleaford’s MP has described news that improvements for people with disabilities to access the town railway station will now not go ahead as “incredibly disappointing”.
Since the previous Conservative government selected Sleaford as one of 50 stations for feasibility work on the Access for All scheme in 2024, Sleaford and North Hykeham MP, Dr Caroline Johnson has been emphasising the importance of these upgrades directly with Government Ministers in Parliament.
However, the Rail Minister has written to MPs representing each of the 50 stations announced by the previous government and has offered to meet to explain the decision for 19 projects which will not be progressing at this point. This includes Sleaford.
Dr Johnson said: “The Labour Government have said they won't be going ahead with accessibility improvements at Sleaford railway station. This will be incredibly disappointing for many in the town, who, like me, want to see improvements at the station.”
She said she had been writing to ministers and pressing them to go ahead with the improvements to offer a better alternative to the footbridge for those with disabilities other than having to go down to the level crossing and back up the opposite platform.
"It is therefore extremely disheartening that this Government have disregarded our concerns and the real need for upgrades to accessibility at the station by axing this scheme for Sleaford,” said Dr Johnson.
“The previous Government's criteria at the time already included station footfall, weighted by incidence of disability in the area, industry priorities, the availability of third-party funding and local factors when selecting Sleaford for the Access for All scheme. I have therefore requested an urgent meeting with the minister to discuss this decision in more detail. I will also ask to meet with Network Rail and others to work on Sleaford's bid for future rounds and continue to advocate for these much-needed upgrades.”
The RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) are concerned with the announcement.
Erik Matthies, who has sight loss, is RNIB’s Policy Lead for travel and transport, commented: “It’s disappointing that the Government’s Access for All programme will not be progressing at 19 rail stations that were earmarked for upgrade including Sleaford. It’s funding aims to create an obstacle-free, step-free route from the station entrance to the platforms which is vital for tens of thousands of blind and partially sighted passengers.
“Many stations lack basic accessibility features that make travel accessible. Steps and stairs increase trip hazards and injury risk for blind and partially sighted people, even to the point of preventing them from using a station altogether. This causes stress. Often staff are not available at train stations which adds to the problem. The government must reverse their decision and implement those changes they promised to all stations that are lagging behind in modern accessibility.”
In a statement, Rail Minister Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, said: “This government is committed to a rigorous approach and only making commitments we believe are affordable and would represent value for money to passengers and taxpayers.”
As such, ministers have carefully considered the findings of the initial feasibility work and have decided which will progress, using the following criteria:
- Busy stations, where upgrades would benefit significant numbers of passengers.
- Ensuring a good spread of projects across Wales, Scotland and different parts of England.
- Making use of pre-existing technical development work.
- The presence of a third-party funding contribution.
Lord Hendy added that further projects may be funded as part of the next spending review.
Third-party funding contributions will be a key consideration in choosing future AfA schemes due to limited available government funding for upgrades.