Eurostar reverses wheelchair policy that left user stranded, after Observer campaign

Eurostar has reversed a new accessibility policy that left a wheelchair user stranded and has retrained its London staff following pressure from the Observer. Travellers with disabilities claimed that they would be barred from Eurostar services after the company banned its London staff from pushing passenger wheelchairs. Those who require assistance were told they must travel with a companion or cancel their ticket if they were unable to access services unaided, according to passengers who contacted the Observer. Student actor Cedric Alvarez was left stranded on arrival at London St Pancras after station staff told him they were no longer allowed to wheel his chair. He had requested special assistance for the journey from Paris and his booking confirmation stated that he would be pushed to and from the train at both stations. “Eventually, a couple of staff took pity on me and agreed to push me to the taxi rank provided they could take a photo of me to show their manager in case they got into trouble,” he said. He met the same problem on his return journey. “This was the first time I had travelled independently and I was so excited, only to be told by Eurostar...

Read more