'This is unacceptable' - Walsall MP calls for improvements to railway station
Passengers with disabilities and parents with pushchairs are still awaiting upgrade works to be carried out at the railway station near a Walsall football stadium.
Walsall and Bloxwich MP Valerie Vaz said it was unacceptable that two years after she raised the matter in a Houses of Parliament debate that the improvements had not yet been done at Bescot Stadium Railway Station which currently has footbridge and stairs access to the platforms.
Network Rail has scheduled the work to be completed in 2027.
The station is near to the home of Walsall Football Club and the lack of lifts has long attracted complaints from football fans, disabled passengers and parents with pushchairs.
She said the issue could be easily resolved by the construction of two lifts on either side of the footbridge and the installation of a footpath from the station car park to the platform serving stations towards Birmingham New Street .
Miss Vaz MP said: “Despite raising this issue in 2022 under the previous Government, I highlighted the lack of accessible access to Bescot Stadium station in a debate in Parliament.
“Constituents have made it clear that they need accessibility and safety improvements at this station. Disabled people and parents with pushchairs cannot use the stairs, which impacts Walsall FC home and away fans using the station for matches.
“At a meeting in November 2023 Network Rail promised a solution will be found in six months. I was informed by Network Rail that Bescot Stadium Station is on the list for 2027.
"This is unacceptable. My constituents cannot wait that long for a right that is enshrined in the Railways Act 1993, Human Rights Act 1998 and Equalities Act 2010.
"My constituents are not interested in a feasibility study of a feasibility study. They just need a solution of two lifts on either side of the walkway.”
Miss Vaz said supporters of Walsall FC and Aston Villa Women FC who use the station off Bescot Crescent for matches and visitors to the Sunday market and passengers heading to the town centre deserved better facilities.
She highlighted that the station car park had unused disabled bays due to lack of access to the station.
She is now calling for the improvements to be speeded up after writing to then Transport Secretary Grant Shapps in 2022 to highlight the issue and to call for funding to be made available to carry out the changes required.
Pedestrians have also previously called for a crossing to be installed at the nearby traffic lights junction of Broadway West and Bescot Crescent to improve safety for shoppers and sports fans describing it as being almost "impossible to get across unless you are okay dodging the cars. Lots of people have to cross here, but it's not pedestrian friendly".
While Lindatiger posted: "This is discrimination and needs to be sorted out ASAP."
The station is close to the Saddlers' Bescot ground which is also home to Aston Villa's high flying women's side who play in the popular Women's Super League.
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.