Meeting with Network Rail at Bescot Stadium Station

On 27 February 2026 I met with Network Rail representatives,  Matt Broad, Senior Public Affairs Manager and Adam Checkley, Infrastructure Director, with representatives from the Walsall Football Supporters’ Trust, Kiera Thorpe-Wood, Ray Dale and Bob Thomas to discuss the next steps on the campaign for improved accessibility at the station, which began in December 2022. 

There was a helpful discussion about the best and most useful infrastructure which was explained by Adam Checkley and the potential costs. There was a wide-ranging discussion about the use of lifts and other ways to access the platforms. 

It was clear from the people who used the station that help was required to access the platforms and included a passenger who had to have her suitcase carried down the steps by the person who met her. Kiera who was in a wheelchair showed how inaccessible the Station is. We explained the connectivity with other transport especially on Match Day. 

In August 2025 National Rail appointed consultants to undertake a feasibility study to make the case for securing a funding allocation for providing step-free access out of the £2.4Bn Transport for City Regions funding that is available from 2027. 

The feasibility study is expected to be with Network Rail this month who will let me know the outcome.