As a child, did you read the Thomas the Tank Engine books or watch the programme on television?

I wonder if those amusing stories where, in the end, everything was put right, have encouraged us to think it will be the same in real life?

We often hear grumbles about late trains, expensive fares and overcrowding, and these never seem to be put right.

You may be wondering why my mind has turned to trains?

Well an exciting opportunity has been presented to Oxfordshire Unlimited.

Later this year a new franchisee will be chosen by the Government to operate Great Western train services.

One of the companies among the bidders has asked Unlimited what we consider vital access for any disabled passenger. Never one to dismiss a challenge, we set about auditing all 22 stations in Oxfordshire. Many of the stations are unmanned, making access for disabled people who need assistance impossible. One of the suggestions flying about is that every village where there is an unmanned station could have a list of volunteers who would be willing to help when necessary. Part of the Big Society dream? I fear that CRB checks and the training needed would soon make that idea fly out of the window.

How about this though – some stations only have disabled access on one side, meaning that the passenger has to travel on to an accessible station then travel back in order to be able to get off.

This is unacceptable in our view. Plus, trains have a habit of being late and the one train back may have gone. I can remember the days when it was possible to walk across the track from one platform to the other. I’m afraid progress has knocked that on the head, although it has given us other advantages.

Many necessities to help people with visual difficulties travel safely and comfortably were missing back then. Tactile surfaces give clues to those who can’t see and they are very adept at feeling with their feet. I wonder then when we tell the company of these findings if our demands for aiding disabled people to travel safely and efficiently will prove too ambitious.

I hope, of course, that they will react positively and maintain their dialogue with us, since it is only by talking through problems that we are best able to minimise them.