DISABLED people have blasted rail bosses after being told to book 24 hours in advance to get help reaching a platform - or travel to Newport and back to get to the other side.

Abergavenny station has no disabled access to its southbound platform, leaving users fuming.

Rail bosses have told them to call 48 hours in advance so a member of staff can assist them through a locked gate and across the line.

And in one bizarre telephone call, a disabled man was told he could travel more than 20 miles to Newport and then return in order to get onto the right platform, according to an MP.

Joan Griffiths, 72, of Old Barn Way, Abergavenny, said she has been left 'disgusted' by the attitude of Arriva Trains Wales to her disabled daughter, Sarah, 20. Wheelchair bound Sarah can't access the platform over the normal pedestrian bridge because of the steps.

Sarah added: "They are no longer providing a service for disabled people. We shouldn't have to plan hours in advance like this."

Arriva extended its booking office times for longer so staff could assist disabled users - but now say the trial period has come to an end. Monmouth MP Huw Edwards has been campaigning for the situation to change. He said a constituent with a disabled husband had once been told he should travel to Newport and back at a cost of £6.70 just to get on the right side of the track.

Geraint Morgan, a spokesman for Arriva Trains Wales, said: "We manage 235 stations and the majority are accessible for customers with disabilities, including access for wheelchairs.

"Presently, train crew provide access to the southbound platform via the barrow crossing when the booking office is closed.

"Clearly, the provision of a ramped footbridge or lift would be beneficial and we are doing all that is practicable within the national funding resources available to make our stations compliant with the requirements of the Disabled Discrimination Act (DDA).

A spokeswoman from the Disability Rights Commis-sion said: "We are deeply concerned by the lack of progress in giving disabled people free access to Abergavenny station."