I don’t usually bother writing to MP’s – I consider them a waste of space and they don’t seem to do much, but Mum suggested I should so I just emailed this letter:
’Dear Ms Nokes,
I moved to Romsey six months ago from the Isle of Wight. It’s a fantastic town and I enjoy living here very much.
Unfortunately, the DWP have just decided I am no longer entitled to Disability Living Allowance. Because of this, I have lost my motability car.
I now have to travel via public transport and it’s the facilities for disabled at the train station that I’m writing about as I use a wheeled walker/rollator.
To purchase a ticket, I have to enter the station via the platform with the ticket office on (I believe that is Platform 2). But if I need to catch a train from Platform 1, I then have to walk all the way back down to Alma Road, along Station Road and under the bridge, then up the slope to Platform 1, despite the fact that the signs clearly state tickets can be purchased on Platform 1:
Signage
I don’t understand why there is a ticket office AND a ticket machine on Platform 2, but no ticket buying facilities on Platform 1!
If I catch the train to Southampton from Platform 1 without buying a ticket and the conductor doesn’t come to me during the journey, I then can’t exit the station at Southampton due to the barrier.
People who use walking aids like myself, wheelchairs, pushchairs or heavy suitcases are all going to face this problem.
I simply cannot walk the extra distance to get to Platform 2 to get a ticket!
Regards’
I wonder if I’ll get a response!