Firm defends disabled rail spaces

A rail company has defended a decision to have only two spaces at Shrewsbury station's front car park for members of the public who are not disabled. Arriva Trains Wales, which runs the car park, said it follows resurfacing work and the firm is complying with industry regulations over disabled car spaces.

There are nine spaces for people with disabilities at the car park, which staff and British Transport Police use.

Nearly 150 spaces can be used by the public behind the station. In that car park, on Howard Street, there are five spaces allocated for short stay and 143 for long stay.

In a statement, Arriva Trains Wales commercial director, Mike Bagshaw, said: "By providing the extra spaces Arriva Trains Wales is now compliant with its franchise agreement for the provision of disabled parking facilities at Shrewsbury Station. For the amount of car parking spaces provided at the front of the station and Howard Street car park, nine disabled spaces are required. Under rail guidelines, they have to be a maximum of 50 metres from the station so it makes sense for them to be in the front. There is still a provision of two short stay spaces in the front car parking area and spaces for two cars to be dropped off."