Kath Vickery, a visually impaired resident of Yeovil, has been forced to halt her beloved train journeys due to insufficient staff support at Yeovil Pen Mill station. Once looking forward to trips to the beach in Weymouth or visits to Bristol, Kath now faces significant challenges getting on and off trains safely without the assistance she depends on.
Currently, Yeovil Pen Mill station operates with just two staff members working different shifts, limiting their ability to provide the necessary help to passengers requiring assistance. Kath explains, “The staff are always helpful, but their roles in the ticket office make it impossible for them to assist me regularly. I had to cancel my birthday trip because no staff were available to help.”
This lack of consistent staffing not only affects Kath’s independence but also impacts her mental health. “I rely on public transport since I am unable to drive, and reliable staff presence is critical for my safe travel. The absence of adequate assistance has been distressing and forced me to stop using the station altogether,” she said.
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In response, Kath has launched a petition urging Great Western Railway (GWR) to ensure sufficient staffing at Yeovil Pen Mill to support passengers with disabilities. The petition has already gathered over 60 signatures, reflecting strong community support. Kath will be at Birchfield Community Centre in Yeovil on Saturday, October 18, from 1 pm to 4 pm to collect more signatures and raise awareness.
Local MP Adam Dance and residents have expressed their backing, acknowledging the crucial need for dependable assistance at the station. While GWR acknowledges the issue, citing staffing shortages during holiday periods, they emphasize efforts to improve staffing coverage and offer alternative transport options when stations are unstaffed.
Kath emphasizes, “The people of Yeovil deserve better. It’s unacceptable that sometimes the station is entirely unstaffed during hours when help is most needed.”
Her petition calls on GWR to provide reliable staffing and timely cover to ensure that all passengers, especially those with disabilities, can travel safely and confidently.