Former Tory minister calls for better access to trains for disabled people

This came after one of Britain's most famous Paralympians, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, was forced to “crawl off a train” at London's King's Cross.

Baroness Grey-Thompson travelled by train from Leeds to London King's Cross on August 26, but there was no one there to help her when she arrived. She said she had to wait 16 minutes.

Sir Gavin said it was “vital” that a scheme was introduced to replace the Conservative-backed Access For All scheme to “help our disabled citizens”.

He said in the House of Commons on Thursday: “There are many disabled residents in Stone who simply do not have access and are not able to get to the station. I know this is an issue in many constituencies across the country.

“Can we discuss what can be done to ensure that disabled people have good access to our train stations?

“We used to have the Access For All program, but it is extremely important that we have a new program to replace it so that we can help our disabled citizens.”

House of Commons leader Lucy Powell responded: “We have all become particularly aware of these issues in recent weeks with the horrific story of Tanni Grey-Thompson and her recent efforts to protect her transport network.”

“I can assure him that we are committed to addressing these issues and are currently examining the best approach with the Access For All programme.

“But I know that a number of other colleagues will raise these issues, so I am sure that a backbench debate or something similar would be widely welcomed.”

Last week, Baroness Grey-Thompson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that she missed her 7.15pm train and changed to the 7.45pm one, but when she arrived at King's Cross, no one was there to pick her up.

She said: “Disabled people have the right to just come and get on the train. So I had booked assistance but couldn't make the train, so I'm legally allowed to come and ask if I can get on the train.

“So my view is: once someone puts me on a train, I have a contract, which means that someone has to pick me up at the other end.

“The booking system is not particularly effective. Every railway company handles it a little differently.

“You know, in the UK, due to the Disability Discrimination Act, an accessible school system was supposed to be introduced from January 1, 2020. But every single government has put the issue on the back burner.

“It will now be 100 years before we have a level entrance and I can board a train without the permission or assistance of a non-disabled person.

“I'm still pretty angry this morning. I thought I was over it, but I'm not, because I can still get off the train if I have to. There are a lot of people who can't.”