CAMPAIGNERS fighting to have disabled access built at a railway station look set to be disappointed after transport bosses revealed they would not be spending any money on the station.

The Blackrod Village Association have campaigned for the last nine months for a disabled ramp to be built on the southbound platform of Blackrod station -- which would enable disabled rail users to catch trains to Bolton.

The association claims that the lack of facilities at the station has forced disabled rail-users to travel to Adlington or Horwich Parkway station by road before they can then catch trains to Bolton.

But Cllr Guy Harkin, Bolton's representative on the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, said that a recent feasibility report had found that it would not be "value for money" to spend cash on the station, although money will be spent on improving bus services in Blackrod.

John Timms, the Chairman of the Blackrod Village Association, said: "It's a disgrace that money isn't being spent on improving the disabled facilities at Blackrod train station.

"Disabled people living in Blackrod either have to go to Adlington or Horwich Parkway station, or drive to get to Bolton. It encourages more people to get into their cars instead of using public transport."

But Cllr Harkin said: "We carried out a recent study which found that it wouldn't be value for money to spend the budget on the train station.

"It would cost more than £100,000 to make the changes at the train station and we believe that the budget would be best spent on improving the bus services."

Cllr Harkin said that he would be making these recommendations to Blackrod Parish Council during the next few weeks.