RAIL workers are backing calls from disability campaigners to prioritise accessible train services after it emerged that it will take until 2070 for Britain’s stations to be fully accessible.

Research conducted by Leonard Cheshire Disability showed that out of 2,579 railway stations in Britain, approximately 980 do not have any step-free access.

The charity says too little work is being done to create accessibility for disabled people, as only 19 stations a year are renovated to include disabled access.

This will mean that it will take until 2070 until all train stations are disabled-accessible.

As a result, the charity is calling for a new law to ensure all railway stations will be disabled-friendly by 2030.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash welcomed the move, saying: “This call goes right to the heart of RMT's fight for a guard on every train.

“Regardless of the election result, the campaign for a safe and accessible railway for all goes on.”

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We believe everyone in this country should have equal access to education, health care, and public transport.

“That is why we have led the fight for step-free access to trains and train stations. Without that, many people in Britain are prevented from becoming passengers on our public services and that is clearly wrong.

“It is a wrong that needs to be put right — urgently — so we have a railway fit for the 21st century.”

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes called it "appalling" that disabled travellers are still excluded from so many train stations.

“Having step-free access at a train station can make the difference between a disabled person being able to take a new job, visit friends or afford to buy or rent somewhere suitable to live," he said.