A woman claims she was refused entry onto a Merseyrail train for "being drunk" - due to her disability making her unsteady on her feet.
Mark Evison and his partner Jodie were visiting Liverpool for the day on Saturday, October 15 when they went to get the train home to Shrewsbury at around 8pm. The couple were due to travel from Liverpool Lime Street via Chester, but Mark claims Jodie was refused entry onto the platform and accused of being intoxicated by a Merseyrail staff member.
Mark said he tried to explain that Jodie had not been drinking and she was unsteady on her feet due to her disability, which was caused by a car accident in 2004. But he claims the staff member refused to accept his explanation and called security over.
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Merseyrail said it can't comment on individual cases but it has "detailed measures" in place to "identify and support customers with disabilities to ensure that they are able to complete their journeys safely."
Mark told the ECHO: "When we got to the barriers straight away we didn't even get as far as the barrier. [The staff member] goes 'she's not coming in here because she's unsteady on her feet.' I said 'yes that's right, what's the problem?'
"He said 'it's caused by alcohol'. I said no, it's caused by disability."
Mark said he had "no problem" in admitting that he had been drinking but tried to explain that Jodie hadn't. However, he claims the staff member raised concerns about Jodie being unsteady on her feet and said "she could end up on the track."
Mark added: "I said get a breathalyser to prove it. He just wasn't interested at all."
Mark said security were called over, followed by British Transport Police, who helped the couple get the next train to Chester and travel home to Shrewsbury. British Transport Police confirmed officers attended a "dispute between two passengers and a member of rail staff" just after 8pm, and assisted them with their onward journey.
A BTP spokesperson said: "Our teams are across railway in England, Scotland and Wales every day to ensure passengers and staff are safe. If you need assistance on the network, don’t hastate to speak to one of our friendly officers.”
Mark said it was the first time in eleven years that Jodie had been out without using crutches and the ordeal caused her to have a panic attack. He said: "She normally has to take crutches, she can't walk far and she did it.
"We got her to the end of the night, I was really proud of her and this has happened. She felt horrible. She actually had a panic attack because of the distress that is has caused.
"Just because you're in a wheelchair it doesn't mean you're not disabled."
Jane English, acting managing director at Merseyrail said: “Merseyrail have a clear Travelsafe policy in place that aims to ensure that our customers can complete their journeys safely. Our staff are trained to engage customers that may present a safety risk to themselves or other customers and assess their fitness to travel.
"We also have detailed measures in place to identify and support customers with disabilities to ensure that they are able to complete their journeys safely. Whilst we can’t comment on individual cases, we will be responding directly to Mr Evison regarding the concerns he has raised with us.”
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