New plaque unveiled to promote better disabled countryside access at Goring and Streatley Station
A new orientation plaque has been unveiled to improve countryside access for disabled people at Goring and Streatley Station.
The plaque, costing £7,000, highlights various available routes from the station for everyone to access the surrounding countryside.
Speaking before the plaque was unveiled at a ceremony last Friday (June 28), chairman of Mobility Issues Group for Goring and Streatley, John Boler, said: “As we have a fully accessible railway station, we wanted to throw open the metaphorical gates to everyone.
“Disabled people can now travel here safely and confidently by train, using the Great Western Railway’s passenger assistance service to and from Goring and Streatley.”
Mr Boler also called on GWR to “follow the example of MIGGS and promote the Thames Valley more actively as a destination in its own right, not just a landscape on the way to and from the Great West.
“Goring and Streatley Station is the most accessible stop-off point for everyone to enjoy the picturesque Thames Valley and the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs National Landscapes.”
The plaque was jointly unveiled by Frank Tomlinson, a member of MIGGS, and Margaret Pawson, a campaigner for better countryside access and a lead member of the disabled access group in the Mid and West Berks Local Access Forum. Both use mobility scooters.
Goring and Streatley station manager, Tom Butler, added: “GWR is proud to host the unveiling of this new plaque, showcasing just how accessible the Thames Valley countryside is for even more people.
“Supporting and including all members of our communities is at the heart of what we do at GWR, and we hope this plaque, sitting at the gateway to some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside, will inspire more people to board a train and start exploring all the area has to offer.”
It was devised by MIGGS and funded by grants from Mend the Gap, South Oxfordshire District Council’s councillor grant scheme and the DEFRA Access for All fund, managed by Chilterns Conservation Board.
