A £7,000 plaque highlighting accessible train routes for disabled people was unveiled at a railway station last week.

The new feature at Goring and Streatley Railway Station was revealed on June 28.

It highlights various routes from the station that are accessible and enable everyone, particularly disabled people, to enjoy the countryside of the Thames Valley.

Marked routes include two national trails, the Ridgeway and the Thames Path, and two National Landscapes, the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs.

Tom Pierpoint, a director of Great Western Railway who hosted the unveiling ceremony, and Margaret Pawson, lead member of the disabled access group in the Mid and West Berks Local Access ForumTom Pierpoint, a director of Great Western Railway who hosted the unveiling ceremony, and Margaret Pawson, lead member of the disabled access group in the Mid and West Berks Local Access Forum (Image: Dave Olinski and Mend the Gap)

The plaque was unveiled jointly by Frank Tomlinson from South Oxfordshire and Margaret Pawson of West Berkshire, both of whom rely on scooters for mobility.

Mr Tomlinson is a part of the Mobility Issues Group for Goring and Streatley, while Ms Pawson is a campaigner for improved access to the countryside and leads the disabled access group in the Mid and West Berks Local Access Forum.

The Mobility Issues Group for Goring and Streatley was instrumental in bringing the plaque to fruition, with funding from Mend the Gap, South Oxfordshire District Council's councillor grant scheme, and the Defra Access for All fund, managed by Chilterns Conservation Board.

John Boler, chairman of the group, said: "As we have a fully accessible railway station, we wanted to throw open the metaphorical gates to everyone.

"Disabled people can now travel here safely and confidently by train, using the Great Western Railway’s passenger assistance service to and from Goring and Streatley.”

Mr Boler appealed to Great Western Railway to promote the Thames Valley as a destination "in its own right", arguing Goring and Streatley Station is the most accessible stop-off point.

(L-R) South Oxfordshire District councillor Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Alan Winchcomb, chairman of the local history society in Goring and Streatley, Margaret Pawson, John Boiler and Frank Tomlinson(L-R) South Oxfordshire District councillor Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Alan Winchcomb, chairman of the local history society in Goring and Streatley, Margaret Pawson, John Boiler and Frank Tomlinson (Image: Dave Olinski and Mend the Gap)

He continued: “Follow the example of Mobility Issues Group for Goring and Streatley and promote the Thames Valley more actively as a destination in its own right, not just a landscape to zip through on the way to and from the great west.

"Goring and Streatley Station is the most accessible stop-off point for everyone to enjoy the picturesque Thames valley and the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs National Landscapes, including disabled people”.

Tom Butler, Goring and Streatley Station manager, added: “Great Western Railway is proud to host the unveiling of this new plaque, showcasing just how accessible the Thames Valley countryside is for even more people.

“Supporting and including all members of our communities is at the heart of what we do at Great Western Railway, and we hope this plaque, sitting at the gateway to some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside, will inspire more people to board a train and start exploring all the area has to offer.”