DISABLED rail passengers are being told to switch trains at Ilkley - instead of tackling an impossible bridge at Menston.

At the moment wheelchair users find it impossible to cross from one side of Menston Station to the other.

And parents with pushchairs also find it difficult to tackle the rail bridge.

But for the time being the only help being offered by rail bosses is for passengers to switch trains at either Ilkley or Shipley to return to Menston on the right side.

Now, villagers are being urged to campaign for a rail crossing for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs.

Since the Wharfedale Line was electrified, passengers have been unable to cross the tracks, and have to use a footbridge with a steep set of steps.

But wheelchair users find they are faced with a long trek to the nearest road bridge if they want to cross to get to the opposite platform.

Despite repeated calls by

councillors for a 'barrow' crossing across the tracks , neither rail operator Northern Spirit or rail network operator Railtrack has come up with a solution.

Now Ilkley parish councillor Audrey Brand is calling on as many residents as possible to show their strength of feeling by writing to Northern Spirit or Railtrack.

She said: "I've had quite a number of residents in Menston, who are responsible for wheelchair users, who keep asking if we can do something. There are about 14 steps up to the footbridge, it is difficult for anyone with pushchairs."

Coun Brand hopes if enough passengers protest at the lack of a disabled crossing, the firms running the station might be forced into action.

However, Northern Spirit says barrow crossings are now seen as unsafe - and Railtrack is busy removing the crossings from unmanned stations to prevent people risking their lives by using the crossings without help from staff.

A Northern Spirit spokeswoman said the only solution they could offer at present was to travel to stations such as Ilkley or Shipley, where passengers can cross platforms and catch another train back to Menston.

Passengers with enquiries about platform access can write to Northern Spirit Customer Service Centre, PO Box 208, Leeds, LS1 2BU.