A PRESSURE group has slammed train operators and the Government for ignoring the needs of disabled passengers.

Kirklees Disability Rights Network chairman David Quarmby said not enough was being done to make trains accessible to everybody.

The network represents a number of disability groups in lobbying for equal rights.

In a debate in the House of Commons this week, it was rev- ealed that the Government's preferred date to make all trains comply with accessibility laws was 2020.

Mr Quarmby said action was needed now.

"Putting off plans to make trains accessible for 15 years is totally ridiculous," he said.

"Trains must be made easy for those in wheelchairs. And the operators have a part to play as well.

"Stations like Marsden and Mirfield simply cannot be used by anyone in a wheelchair. It is not good enough."

Mr Quarmby urged rail firms to tackle the problem today rather than later.

He said: "There was a case recently where a number of disabled people were left on a platform because all the disabled seats had been taken on the train.

"The operator said they would have to ring up 48 hours in advance to book seats. That is not very convenient."

Kirklees councillor Martyn Bolt said operators such as Northern Rail, who control Marsden and Mirfield stations, were not serving the public properly.

He said: "It is not just disabled people who are suffering. Other passengers would find it almost impossible to climb all the stairs at Mirfield station if they had bags or a pushchair.

"The companies need to be making some plans and they have to be doing it now; 2020 is no good.

"It seems some companies have taken over stations and decided they do not want to do any improvement work.

"They are quite happy to take the profits, but don't want to spend the cash on putting in a ramp and bridge which people in wheelchairs could use.

"In Mirfield, we are at a point where, because of planned housing developments, we need a good railway station for all the new people who will be moving here.

"We keep getting told we need more people to use public transport - but then don't provide the opportunity to do that to everybody in society. It is madness."

A Northern Rail spokesman said: "We recently met Clr Bolt, the Kirklees Passenger Consultative Committee, Network Rail and the Passenger Transport Authority to discuss station accessibility."

He said Northern knew Mirfield and Marsden stations were difficult for disabled people to use. The company therefore suggested that disabled people use stations with better access for them.

Disabled people could ring the firm's helpline on 08456 008 008 if they needed help getting to another station, he added.