Campaigners want improvements for disabled people at Mirfield Station

CAMPAIGNERS want to improve access for disabled people at Mirfield Railway Station.

The station has two platforms, one with a ramp and the other which can only be accessed by steep steps.

The Huddersfield-bound platform has easy access from track-side to car park.

But the Leeds and Wakefield-bound side – an ‘island’ platform – leaves disabled travellers marooned.

Now Mirfield Labour Party has taken up the problem and is pressing for improvements.

Mr Michael Hutchinson, secretary of Mirfield Labour Party, said he believed there were solutions.

He thought it was possible to build a ramp with a safe gradient although his preferred option would be a new platform.

Mr Hutchinson said there appeared to be space for a new platform on the Eastthorpe side of the station between the former Fletcher Filtration/Veolia works and the existing tracks.

And if the existing brick wall in Station Road was demolished, there would be room for a ramp between the northern edge of the embankment and the railway bridge to the new platform.

Mr Hutchinson said: “I believe the new platform option is the better of the two because it would enable the existing island platform to be demolished and the material reclaimed.

“This would also create space for any re-configuration of the tracks that may be needed to accommodate improved Trans-Pennine train services between Leeds and Manchester.”

Sarah Cook, the party’s campaigns co-ordinator, said: “Ramped access to the relatively new platform on the Hopton side of the railway line already exists.

“Passengers with disabilities can leave or arrive in Mirfield on that side of the tracks but it is ridiculous that the steps to the island platform make it difficult or impossible for them to make the return journey.

“The nearest alternative stations with ramps are at Ravensthorpe and Deighton on the Leeds/Manchester Line and at Wakefield on the link to the East Coast Main Line.

“Improvement in this day and age is sorely overdue.”

A spokesman for Metro, the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, said: “Metro is working with industry partners to identify possible solutions to provide step-free access to the island platform at Mirfield.”