Keith Roads. |
Protestors picketed Thetford Railway Station on Friday, April 12 to highlight its lack of disabled access. The Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People says its members are being denied the right to travel in dignity. The coalition is the county's largest organisation run by disabled people, representing more than 35 cross-impairment groups. Around 100 demonstrators gathered on the platform. They said the footbridge across the railway lines is a no-go area for wheelchair users. A barrow crossing, allowing wheelchairs to cross the lines, was taken out in the early 1990s.
Half-mile journey
During the protest, wheelchair users who bought tickets to Norwich at the ticket office had to be taken on a half-mile trip in a specially equipped taxi to reach the other platform just yards away. Keith Roads of the Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People said: "Access to public transport is a key issue for improving our lives. It's horrendous here - absolutely pathetic." Safety concerns
The station is leased from Railtrack by Central Trains. Gerard Burgess, from Central Trains, said a wheelchair crossing over the lines was not allowed for safety reasons. A bridge that could take wheelchairs would cost around £500,000. He said the company wasn't complacent and every year more of its stations were made fully accessible to wheelchair users. Memorial to campaigner
The protest was a memorial to one of NCODP's foremost campaigners, Peter Midwinter. Peter, who died recently, was the long-serving chairman of the Thetford Access Group who dedicated much time to getting full access at the station for disabled people. "This is a fight that NCODP has pledged to continue and is determined to win," Mr Roads said. For further details contact: Keith Roads on 01603 464698 or 07786227914 or Jonathan Toye on 01553 776177 | 
