AN elderly passenger was forced to crawl on board a train at Horton-in-Ribblesdale station while the conductor looked on, it has been reported.

According to parish councillor and trustee of the Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust, Wilf Fenten, "scowling" conductors fail to make announcements about the low platform at Horton and are generally "unhelpful".

"Because of the dangerously low platforms at Horton a set of steps is provided to help passengers board or leave the train," said Mr Fenten. "However, these steps are heavy and an elderly couple trying to board the 7.24am train to Leeds on Saturday January 11 was unable to move them towards the train.

"The elderly lady therefore had to crawl onto the train by sitting on the top step and then trying to lever herself into the train. All the time the conductor was looking on and made no attempt to help."

Another passenger saw what was happening and asked the conductor to help, said Mr Fenten.

"This, according to the other passenger, he did reluctantly and with a scowl," he added.

"We were promised over a year ago that conductors would announce on the train that the platform at Horton is dangerously low and that he or she would help any passenger with lesser mobility.

"Unfortunately incidents like this one last month are commonplace and reflect badly on all involved in providing a train service."

A number of people have complained to Mr Fenten that conductors have not been making announcements and have refused to move the steps towards the train.

He continued: "It is an undignified and disgraceful spectacle seeing elderly ladies trying to climb aboard a train on their knees at Horton Station.

"The future of Horton depends very much on a reliable customer-friendly train service. At the moment it is neither."

Mr Fenten has asked various regular train users to continue monitoring announcements and the provision of the steps.

He also wrote to Arriva Trains regional director, Peter Cushing, on January 8 and 16 to voice his concerns and complain about the incident last month, but has yet to receive a reply.

Managing director of Arriva Trains Northern, Ray Price, told the Herald: "We appreciate that the platforms at Horton-in- Ribblesdale Station are low and for this reason we have ensured that steps are in place for customers to use should they need help in boarding our trains.

"We are very sorry that this lady had difficulties on this occasion and we are also very concerned that the conductor on duty did not seem to offer to help from the outset. I would be grateful if this lady could contact our customer services department so that we can establish the exact details and investigate why this happened."

Mr Fenten has also written to Horton-in-Ribblesdale Parish Council about the issue. The council is due to meet on Monday.