CAMPAIGNERS are calling for urgent action to improve disabled access at Thirsk Railway Station after labelling it a disgrace.

Thirsk Regeneration Initiative (TRI) has criticised Network Rail, which owns the buildings at the station, claiming disabled passengers struggle to leave it.

At present passengers have to either cross the tracks or climb a flight of stairs to leave the station on the edge of the town.

Peter Walker, chairman of TRI, said: "If you’re disabled and you get off a train in Thirsk when the station is unmanned you’re stuck.

"You can’t get out of the station as you have to get across the track or up some stairs to leave the station.

"We at TRI have been banging on about this for a while as disabled people have come to us and complained about this.

"We have pushed and pushed Network Rail and we intend to push them again to get something done.

"The railway station at Thirsk is dreadful and it’s little short of a disgrace that in this day and age disabled people can’t get out of the station."

He added that the situation was not much easier for the elderly to get in and out of Thirsk Station.

Mr Walker said: "I’ve seen elderly people with bags struggling to get up the stairs there and there’s been little investment in the station for many years."

Mr Walker plans to write to Lord Andrew Adonis, the Secretary of State for Transport, to see if he can push improvements through.

The small railway station is located along Station Road just passed Thirsk Racecourse on the border between Thirsk and Carlton Miniott.

It carries passengers from Thirsk and the surrounding towns to Leeds and York on daily services.

North Yorkshire County councillor for Thirsk, Gareth Dadd, said: "This is not good enough.

"When every other public body has to provide disabled access under the law we in Thirsk are being left in the dark ages."

Abigail Lock, head of advocacy and campaigns at disability charity Scope, felt change was needed.

She said: "I would urge train operators and station managers to consider the needs of their disabled passengers.

"Good access for disabled people means good access for everyone – including older people and parents with pushchairs.

"Access to rail services is often key to disabled people’s independence and quality of life.

"Barriers to the transport system can deter disabled people from undertaking the shortest and simplest of journeys."

But a Network Rail spokesman said: "We are not planning to do any works at Thirsk.

"The Department of Transport has funds it gives out through the Access for All scheme but none have been given to Thirsk.

"To do the work at Thirsk would be a reasonably expensive job and I don’t think enough people go through it to get the Government funding."

Train operator First TransPennine Express mans the station and claims aid is on offer to disabled passengers if needed.

A spokesman for First TransPennine Express said: "We have to work around the infrastructure of the buildings and there is no lift.

"We encourage anyone travelling to contact us in advance to make arrangements for us to meet and help them.

"We successfully carry people all over the country but unfortunately Thirsk does not qualify for funding from the Department of Transport."