A petition has been launched to install a lift at Inverurie train station to help disabled passengers after the UK Government ditched its plans to carry out the work.
Gordon and Buchan MP Harriet Cross has been inundated with concerns from residents following the UK Government’s sudden decision to remove Inverurie station from a programme which would have funded the work.
Inverurie railway station only has a footbridge and ramps, making it difficult for disabled and less mobile passengers and parents with prams or young children to access both platforms.
Harriet aims to gather as many signatures as possible to present to the UK Government at Westminster in the hope of persuading Labour ministers to reinstate the funding.
She has also written to the UK Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, asking for a full explanation into Labour’s decision to axe funding for Inverurie.
In May 2024, Inverurie was among 50 stations earmarked by the previous Conservative Government for funding to provide step-free access at the platform to improve accessibility.
However, Labour ministers announced that 13 stations, including Inverurie, have been removed from the funding programme.
Gordon and Buchan MP Harriet Cross said: “The UK Government’s decision to remove funding to install a lift, which would have made both platforms at Inverurie fully accessible from the station’s ticket office, is unjustifiable.
“A rail system which excludes vulnerable and less mobile users is not a system any of us can be proud of.
“I will not accept disabled people being told to wait for basic access, or families being denied step-free travel.
“That is why I hope to gather as many signatures as possible to make our voices heard and to send a clear message to the UK Government that this indefensible decision must be reversed.”
Harriet’s petition says: “The decision to remove Inverurie station from this programme is wrong, extremely disappointing and should be reversed.
“As many of us will be aware, Inverurie Railway Station is not the only station in Gordon and Buchan with serious accessibility issues.
“Insch station, for example, still does not have step-free access to Platform One, and I am also campaigning for improvements there.
“I have written to the Minister of State for Rail seeking a full justification for the decision to withdraw funding from Inverurie station and to insist that Inverurie is returned to the funding programme.
In Case You Missed it:
“Everyone in our communities, no matter their mobility, must have equal access to our public transport system.
“It is unacceptable that in 2026 railway stations in our region still lack the basic infrastructure needed to support people with additional accessibility needs.
“Please support my campaign, and our community, by signing my petition.”
