A Warwick visitor has told InfoRadar he was prevented from boarding a southbound service at Warwick railway station after staff said they had not been trained to use newly installed loading ramps.
What happened at the station
The passenger, Bob Brooker, 75, who uses a mobility scooter following a long-term mobility problem, said the difficulty arose on his return from Warwick to Leamington. He said he had positioned himself next to the marked disabled door on the platform but the train manager declined to load him, telling him the platform was "at the wrong angle" and that staff could not operate the ramp.
"You've got the most ridiculous and pathetic situation. I am quite sure Chiltern Railways, by allowing this, are contrary to the law," the passenger said.
Mr Brooker said station staff offered an alternative that he described as impractical: to travel north to Warwick Parkway to board a southbound service back to Leamington, or for staff to arrange a taxi. He pointed out ramps near the train but was told they were new and undergoing testing before staff completed training.
Station upgrades and operator response
Network Rail completed an improvement programme at Warwick station in October 2025, which included two new passenger lifts to improve access to both platforms and an upgraded subway. Chiltern Railways has acknowledged the ramps are newly installed and said they are being tested while staff receive training on their use.
- Passenger: Bob Brooker, aged 75, from Coventry
- Issue: Staff reportedly unable to deploy new loading ramps
- Station work completed: October 2025 (new lifts and subway upgrade)
Local implications
The account raises immediate questions for passengers with reduced mobility who rely on station staff to provide assistance. While the physical infrastructure at Warwick has been improved, the incident highlights the operational gap that can exist between installation of accessibility equipment and staff readiness to use it.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Accessibility works completed | Two new lifts and subway upgrade (October 2025) |
| Operator | Chiltern Railways |
| Passenger | Bob Brooker, mobility scooter user |
| Reported problem | Staff not trained to use new loading ramps |
Under the Equality Act 2010, transport providers are required to make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people are not placed at a substantial disadvantage. The claimant suggested the operator's failure to provide trained staff may amount to non-compliance, a point Chiltern Railways did not accept in full but said it was addressing through testing and training.
For passengers planning to travel from Warwick station, the incident underlines the importance of contacting rail operators in advance to request assistance, particularly while new equipment is introduced and staff training is being completed.
InfoRadar has asked Chiltern Railways and Network Rail for further comment on the timing of staff training and any interim measures to guarantee access for passengers requiring assistance. Replies will be published when received.
