A RAIL boss has acknowledged that disabled access at a local rail station is “a challenge” after one councillor said many found it impossible to catch a train there.

Rail passengers at Menston Station have to make a huge step to get from the platform onto trains, and a councillor said the issue puts off elderly and disabled people from using the station.

Councillor Chris Steele (Lab, Wharfedale) made the claims during a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee last week.

One item on the committee’s agenda was the satisfaction of rail passengers with local services, and representatives from rail providers were in attendance.

Cllr Steele said he had to drive to the meeting as he found it “almost impossible” to get onto trains at the station.

He said: “Elderly constituents have complained to me about the issue. The gap to the train is knee height – this is not acceptable for public transport.

“Is this the worst station on the network for disabled access, and when can something be done about this?”

Darren Allsopp, Stakeholder Manager for Northern Rail, pointed out that accessibility work would soon start to install a lift at the station, allowing people with mobility issues to travel from one platform to another.

“There is an access for all scheme that will take place at the station. But the challenge of the platform issue is real," he said.

“Conductors can deploy a ramp for any customer that requires assistance.

“It isn’t the worst station on the network.”

Cllr Steele said he was recently contacted by an 87-year-old rail passenger who was travelling to Menston from Ilkley.

When she asked at Ilkley station if a ramp could be deployed for her when she arrived at Menston, she was told “they wouldn’t deploy a ramp for foot passengers for health and safety reasons".

Mr Allsopp said “that wouldn’t be acceptable” and said he would look into that issue.

Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe, chair of the transport committee, said the issue of accessibility at stations needed to be looked at, adding: “It is alright putting a lift in, but if you can’t step onto the train when you get to the platform, what good is a lift?”

After the meeting, Cllr Steele said: “I’ve spoken to passenger groups and many have issues with this. One person had a three-year-old and struggled getting them on because of the height.

“I know they have said staff can come to help, but many people don’t feel like asking.

“All the money is being spent on this lift, but if you can’t get on the train it is a bit pointless.”