Michael Gove is continuing to press for step-free access to be installed at Ash Vale Station, as the current access at the station is difficult for less-able people, such as the elderly, and completely impossible for those in a wheelchair. It is also problematic for parents with small children and pushchairs to manage several flights of stairs.

In November 2018, Michael supported South Western Railway’s nomination of Ash Vale station for the Access for All programme, which provides funding to improve accessibility at railway stations.

Sadly, Michael was informed on 5 April 2019 that the funding bid for Ash Vale was unsuccessful. He wrote again on 18 April to the Transport Secretary to ask him to provide details of any other sources of funding to enable the much-needed installation of step-free access at this station.

Following the Transport Secretary’s reply (see attached below), Michael wrote to Network Rail to nominate Ash Vale station for the Access for All Mid-Tier Programme, and to also ask whether accessibility improvements can be made during any other planned project works.