Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) organised a demonstration last week calling for better access to the station for everyone, whether they be wheelchair users, people with pushchairs, heavy suitcase carriers or those with walking difficulties.
They were joined at Handforth Station on Wednesday, 4th May, by local residents, including parents what pushchairs, elderly members of the community and wheelchair users.
Andrew Backhouse, the new Chairman of FoHS, said "Friends of Handforth Station are very concerned about the needs of an increasingly elderly population, but also many new houses locally, access at our station for pushchairs, and more.
"There are easy routes off on to nearby roads for surface ramps as opposed to expensive lift options - but it needs joined up thinking, support from a local developer, and of course, the council and Network Rail.
"So we thought we would gather some of our community to make the point, particularly as a planning application has just been submitted offering a wheelchair only route on the old British Legion site."
Jones Homes has recently submitted plans to demolish the former British Legion building on Station Road and erect 10 townhouses. Included in the proposal is the provision for a disabled access through the site to the southbound platform of Handforth station.
The planning application states "This will be made available for the Friends of Handforth Station to secure with Network Rail. It is important that this route is made available to disabled passengers only and suitable controls will need to be put in place to prevent this being used by the wider public."
Friends of Handforth Station objected to the Jones Homes application, reference 16/1269M.
In a letter to Cheshire East Council they stated "We are grateful that Jones Homes has given disabled access some consideration, but Handforth needs an access that is available for all, lit, and with a drop off point to meet the other needs that Cheshire East Council and Friends of Handforth Station have identified for the future.
"We have received over 1000 signatories for our petition for such access, and hope you can support us on this. We have suggested plans that allow the same number of homes to be built, whilst reinforcing the embankment along the roadside and providing a small drop off point as well a possibly reinstating the bus stop and an improved route along the road edge."
Updated: 1.30pm Thursday, 12th May.
A spokesperson for Jones Homes said, "We were asked for, and agreed to, provide disabled access through our development to the platform subject to Network Rail's agreement."
Photo by Karin Albinsson.
Comments
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I find it incredible that the situation is still the same especially when we are encouraged to use public transport. I use the metro link if I go in to Manchester now and the trams and stations are so accessible to the disabled and parents with children it's great to see people in wheelchairs able to travel easily.