By Bill Heaney
Dumbarton’s Labour MSP, Dame Jackie Baillie, has hit out after it emerged that little progress has been made in ensuring train stations are fully accessible for those with disabilities.
The politician demanded action as new figures reveal 69 per cent of train stations in West Dunbartonshire are not fully accessible.
Research by Scottish Labour has revealed that of West Dunbartonshire’s 13 train stations, just four can be fully utilised by disabled commuters.
The figure is even worse for Argyll and Bute, where 79 per cent of the area’s stations are not fully accessible.
Of 14 rail stations in the authority area, just three can be fully utilised by disabled commuters.
Responsibility for improving accessibility at Scottish stations is shared by both the UK and Scottish Governments.
Scottish Labour has branded the figures a “scandal” and demanded action from both Holyrood’s SNP and Westminster’s Tory governments.
Dame Jackie Baillie, said “It is shameful that disabled people are still being locked out of train stations and continue to face significant challenges when travelling in the constituency, including in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute.
“The Tories and the SNP both have a responsibility to make sure our train stations are fit for purpose – but both have failed miserably.
“Our two governments must work together to design a real plan to end this scandal and ensure rail travel is accessible to everyone.
“Residents of my Dumbarton constituency deserve a modern, accessible rail network so our communities can thrive.”
Train Station accessibility:
| AREA | A
[FIGURE A] |
B | C | Total
[FIGURE B] |
% not fully accessible
[FIGURE C] |
| Aberdeen City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Aberdeenshire | 2 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 71% |
| Angus | 2 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 71% |
| Argyll and Bute | 3 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 79% |
| Clackmannanshire | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 57% |
| Dundee City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| East Ayrshire | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 50% |
| East Dunbartonshire | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 67% |
| East Lothian | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 57% |
| East Renfrewshire | 0 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 100% |
| Edinburgh, City of | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 55% |
| Falkirk | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 80% |
| Fife | 5 | 13 | 1 | 19 | 74% |
| Glasgow City | 19 | 23 | 19 | 61 | 69% |
| Highland | 16 | 40 | 4 | 60 | 73% |
| Inverclyde | 6 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 54% |
| Midlothian | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0% |
| Moray | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| North Ayrshire | 8 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 33% |
| North Lanarkshire | 10 | 14 | 1 | 25 | 60% |
| Perth and Kinross | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 71% |
| Renfrewshire | 3 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 70% |
| Scottish Borders | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0% |
| South Ayrshire | 2 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 78% |
| South Lanarkshire | 10 | 6 | 3 | 19 | 47% |
| Stirling | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 50% |
| West Dunbartonshire | 4 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 69% |
| West Lothian | 9 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 25% |
| Scotland | 138 | 182 | 42 | 362 | 62% |
*Category A: This station has step-free access to all platforms / the platform The station has step-free access to and between all platforms, at all times trains are running, via level access, lifts or ramps (in accordance with new-build standards re gradient/length). Additional station entrances or walking routes not meeting the A criteria are permitted, providing the additional walking distance to avoid these is no more than 100m
Local railway stations. West Dunbartonshire Council have introduced large concrete bollards along Station Road at Dumbarton Central, which greatly reduces passenger parking there. The main entrance to the station was closed years ago and is now an unsightly shambles with water running down the walls. Dame Jackie Baillie has petitioned Scotrail in the past to improve the lighting on the crossing under the railway bridge in Church Street/Townend Road, but nothing has been done there. The bridge is filthy with dirty water dripping on to the heads of pedestrians using the traffic lights crossing. Two other tunnels under the station are dark and dirty as is the high wall all the way along Station Road. What is now the main entrance to the station is only now accessible from Station Road and Bankend Road and appears to have no facility for wheelchair users or families with babies in prams. The right turn into Station Road from Townend Road is No Entry, so cars and taxis have to travel to the Church Street roundabout and turn left into Station Road or Bankend Road. And the entrance to Station Road from Artizan at the Health Centre is also blocked and there is a No Entry sign there too. Bill Heaney
Top picture: A spin doctored, photo-shopped image from West Dunbartonshire Council showing what they would like the public to believe is the environment around Dumbarton Central Station, but it’s not.