1,700 sign petition to save Albrighton train station ramp

It was installed early last year to replace a 130-year-old listed footbridge with four flights of stairs to the platform that was removed for refurbishment during a £1 million revamp of Albrighton station.

Elderly people, passengers with wheeled suitcases and those with pushchairs were delighted by the addition but horrified when it was announced that it was only temporary and would be removed next month.

Now Network Rail has agreed not to knock it down and are prepared to lease it to the four local parish councils – Albrighton, Boningale, Donington with Boscobel and Tong – for a peppercorn rent.

There were fears that Network Rail would breach the Equality Act if it kept control of the ramp because it was not disability compliant. The compromise was thrashed out at a last ditch meeting chaired by local MP Mr Mark Pritchard who said afterwards: "Many councillors and residents have worked very hard on this issue over many months. There is still much more work to do but I think the general view is cautious optimism."

The ramp was installed early last year and used regularly while the main road at its foot was closed during the station refurbishment. But has been fenced off for safety reasons since the road reopened in the summer. Highways bosses at Shropshire Council would have to install safety rails and realign the pavement at the bottom of the ramp while the parish councils would have to find ways of footing the bill for improvements to lighting and fencing on the ramp.

Mr Peter Woodman, Chairman of the Albrighton and District Civic Society, added: "This would be tremendous news for rail users and rail companies."