Stirling SNP MSP Bruce Crawford has requested that ScotRail address the lack of tactile walkways for blind passengers at the edge of the platform at Stirling Train Station.
This comes after Bruce Crawford was contacted by Guide Dogs for the Blind Associations who had been recently contacted by a Stirling resident who has faced significant challenges as a regular user of the services at Stirling Train Station.
In his letter to ScotRail’s Managing Director, Mr Crawford said: “As part of her ongoing support, my constituent was taken out to refresh her long cane skills and found that she could not detect the edge of the platform at all just using the long cane, despite being a skilled long cane user.”
“It is also my understanding that on most occasions my constituent travels with her guide dog who has been able to keep her at a safe distance from the platform edge, but without him she felt very vulnerable.”
Bruce Crawford also raised the issue of the worn away hi-vis yellow paint along the station platform, which poses a risk to older people and carers of small children.
Commenting on the issue Bruce Crawford said: “This is a pretty serious matter; all passengers deserve to feel that their safety is the primary concern of the train operator. Sadly, some have been left to feel that this is not the case at Stirling Train Station.
“Huge work has been undertaken to make the train station much more accessible to people of all abilities and disabilities. The station platforms being left in such as state undermines that.
“I hope that Managing Director Alex Hynes takes seriously my representations to him, and that work starts as soon as possible to have the proper tactile flooring installed at all points of the station platform, as well as to upgrade the hi-vis paint that should be there to keep people safe.”
In response to the issue a ScotRail spokesperson said: “I acknowledge the concerns raised by the Association about the lack of tactile and the yellow lines along the platforms.”
“Any tactile work would be undertaken by Network Rail, who I have alerted to this issue.”
“Their works delivery team are carrying out some work on platforms nine and ten in February and hope to have the yellow lines repainted then.”
Image credit: Twinfix
