Lichfield’s MP has demanded improved disabled access at Lichfield Trent Valley train station, branding the current facilities as “a disgrace”.

In a formal submission to the West Midland Region Rail Development Plan, Michael Fabricant has stressed the need for disabled access facilities and also called for the Lichfield to Burton line to be reopened to passenger traffic. “Lichfield Trent Valley station continues to be a disgrace with disabled passengers unable to access two out of the three platforms,” he said.

“It’s great if you want to go to Crewe, but not much else – and God knows what you do if you are disabled and arriving back at Lichfield Trent Valley.”

The MP said the expected influx of visitors to the National Memorial Aboretum ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday illustrated the need for better public transport links to Alrewas.

“With up to 20,000 visitors expected in just one week in the run up to Armed Forces Day, a rail service to the arboretum by means of a restored railway station at Alrewas is even more necessary,” he said.

Mr Fabricant has written to the Regional Rail Forum to call for the changes to be included in improvement schemes planned for the train station up to 2014.

He wrote: “I hope that the station improvement plans will incorporate improved facilities for disabled passengers since there is a lack of appropriate facilities at this station, with two of the three platforms inaccessible to the disabled and difficult to access for those with children and heavy luggage.”

The MP added: “I’m also keen to see the reopening of the Lichfield to Burton line for passenger traffic, which would include a new railway station at Alrewas.

“The line is already in use for freight traffic and re-opening it for passengers would serve the ever increasing number of visitors to the arboretum in Alrewas and help to ease use of the A38 trunk road.”

Chris Haynes, chairman of the West Midlands Regional Rail Forum, said: “With many possible calls on national and local funding, it will be necessary to prioritise schemes by identifying those which are the most effective at improving the economic outputs and competitiveness of the region.”