DISABILITY access at train stations in Dumbarton and the Vale has been branded “woefully insufficient” as figures reveal only half of stations are fully accessible for disabled passengers.

Statistics obtained from ScotRail show Dalreoch, Dumbarton Central and Dumbarton East stations do not currently have full access.

At present, not one local station has been earmarked for Access for All funding from the UK Government, despite only three stations in Dumbarton and the Vale having step-free access at all times across all platforms.

Katy Clark, Labour MSP for the West Scotland region, is calling on the UK government for more funding to be made available and to Transport Scotland to make recommendations based on the stations in most immediate need.

Ms Clark said: “Constituents have got in touch with me to express their concern that disability access at their closest stations is lacking.

“Having now obtained the raw numbers from ScotRail, it is clear access is woefully insufficient at a number of stations despite it being a legal requirement.

“Public transport in the 21st century should be fully accessible to all. The Access for All fund is vital for improving infrastructure to this end, but it appears very few projects are planned.

“This fund is managed by the UK Government, but the Scottish Government and Network Rail make recommendations.

"I will be writing to all three to demand greater levels of investment.”

In total, just a third of all stations in the west of Scotland are deemed fully accessible.

Only three local stations - Renton, Alexandria and Balloch - are classed as category A.

Category A means that step-free access to and between all platforms is maintained at all times trains are running via level access, lifts or ramps.

Dumbarton Central, Dalreoch and Cardross all fall into Category B, meaning that the stations do not meet Category A standards but do have step-free access to either all platforms or at least one.

In some cases, Category B stations may be useable for some disabled and older people but in others, major barriers may be present which are likely to restrict the ability of disabled people to use the station.

These may include long or steep ramps, access between platforms that may be via the street, and there may not be step-free access to or between all station areas.

Dumbarton East, meanwhile, is classed as Category C, which means the station does not have any form of step-free access to its single platform.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We believe our railways should be fully accessible for all.

"Unfortunately responsibility for accessibility is reserved to the UK Government – Scottish Ministers have repeatedly called for this matter to be devolved, and would certainly welcome Ms Clark’s support.

“However, until that happens, we continue to invest in accessibility improvements at our stations beyond that provided by the UK Government’s ‘Access for All’ programme, including trying to ensure new and refurbished stations are barrier-free.

"ScotRail also has arrangements in place for passengers to access our railways at any station by making use of the passenger assist process.”

Patrick Nyamurundira, ScotRail access and inclusion manager, added: “ScotRail is dedicated to making sure that all rail users have equal access, and we’ll continue to work with our stakeholders at all levels to ensure that everyone can travel on Scotland’s Railway with confidence.

“We already have an ‘Accessible Travel Service’ where we provide free assistance to customers who need it most. Our Assisted Travel team can be contacted at scotrail.co.uk/accessible-travel or by calling 0800 046 1634.

“We’re committed to building on the success of this service, which includes listening to and acting on feedback from our customers.”