'It's such a faff to use a train in my wheelchair'

A wheelchair user has welcomed news that her local station could become more accessible.

Jane Wickenden said arrangements at Castle Cary station in Somerset are a "faff" and involve relying on staff to supervise her crossing the tracks.

The government says almost £280m in funding means passengers at some UK stations will be able to travel more independently and safely due to its step-free access scheme - with Castle Cary and Yeovil Junction also progressing to a detailed design stage.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, transport lead at Somerset Council, said the council would make the strongest possible case for the project to go ahead.

Wilkins emphasised that funding has only been confirmed for detailed design work and said construction was dependent on the outcome of that work.

"While there are no guarantees at this point, early feasibility studies have not raised any major concerns, and we remain optimistic," he added.

Castle Cary station is on the main line to London Paddington and Wickenden, who has cerebral palsy, uses it several times a year.

Two of the three platforms are accessed by footbridge and she said crossing the tracks via a staffed level crossing "isn't the most comfortable thing".

"I'm really pleased Castle Cary has been chosen," she said. "It will give me a lot more flexibility of choice and train times."

Wickenden, from Wincanton, said when there are no staff working at the station in the evening, she has no option but to return to another station and use a taxi to get back to her car.

"The constant need to work round the failure to supply reasonable access is quite tiring really," she added.

According to the disabled-led campaign group Transport for All, a quarter of UK railway stations have step-free access, with 11% of stations staffed at all times.

Of the 10 national railway stations in Somerset, four do not have step-free access to all platforms which can be used independently of station staff, according to information listed on the National Rail website.

In a written statement to parliament, Rail Minister Lord Hendy said the government was committed to improving access to the railway and "recognises the significant social and economic benefits of doing so".

He outlined plans for eight step-free schemes with a further 23 to be taken to the design stage. He said 19 were turned down.

Yeovil Junction has been successful in reaching the design stage and a spokesperson for South Western Railway, which operates the station, said it will work with Network Rail and Somerset Council to finalise designs by the end of autumn 2027.

While Transport for All said it welcomed the news, its spokesperson Deborah Persaud said many will be disappointed their station is not among those set to be improved.

"At this rate it will take 100 years to get every station in the UK to become fully accessible and step-free," she added.

"It's really not acceptable that in 2026, we are still seeing absolutely brand new stations opening that do not have step-free access and level boarding."

The government said it worked alongside Network Rail to prioritise projects that made use of existing infrastructure and third-party funding contributions.

The Department for Transport said passengers at the chosen stations would be able to travel more confidently thanks to its step-free scheme.

"New lifts and step-free routes will make it easier for disabled people, older passengers and parents with pushchairs to use our rail network, allowing them to get to jobs, education and see friends and family, supporting economic growth," it added.

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