THE fact that over half of the rail stations in the north are not fully accessible for wheelchair users has been described as “very, very worrying.”

A recent report looking at all 600 stations in the North found many were lacking facilities that would allow disabled people to make full use of them.

Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said accessibility was apparently seen as a low priority by rail companies, and this needed to change.

The report was discussed by the Rail North Committee – made up of politicians from across the North, at a meeting on Wednesday.

A report that went before the committee revealed that just 48 per cent of stations had a “desirable standard of step-free access.”

Just 38 per cent had waiting shelters that were physically accessible by all, 87 per cent had ramps to allow wheelchair users to board trains, and only 35 per cent of stations had staff on platforms who were able to offer help.

At the meeting Mr Burnham described the report as an “alarming picture” adding: “It is very, very worrying that our stations are not accessible.

“Disability access is too often seen as an afterthought, but it is about the ability of all people to use our railway system.

“Railways often treat this as a low order issue, but it is not – it needs to change.

“48 per cent of our stations have ‘desirable step free access.’ That means more than half of the rail stations in the north are not accessible for wheelchair users. This raises serious questions over whether our stations are complying with the equality act.

“Just 38 per cent of our stations have physically accessible waiting shelters. We want to create a good environment for all people – how does this achieve that?

“Why is there only an induction loop at 89 per cent of stations? Why do only 87 per cent have ramps for trains?

“I find this table shocking.”

Jamie Driscoll, Mayor of North of Tyne Combined Authority, said: “With an increasingly aging population, more people are going to need better access in the future.”

The meeting was told that at the current rate of station improvements it would likely take “many decades” to bring all stations up to standards.

Mr Burnham suggested the committee set up a task force to look at the issue, adding: “We should not be in the position next year when half of our stations are still not accessible.”

Members agreed to set up a group to look at the issue.