A FAMILY which has supported the West Somerset Railway for over 25 years say they no longer feel welcome after the heritage line adopted a new disability policy.

Pete Sutcliffe, of Layton, Blackpool, said he, his daughter and wife, who uses an electric scooter, had regularly helped out with the running of the annual Steam Fayre and had between them invested hundreds of pounds in shares to put something back into the railway.

But now Pete told the County Gazette his family no longer felt welcome because West Somerset Railway bosses decided to bring its policy regarding the carriage of wheelchairs and mobility scooters on its trains in line with that of the national rail industry.

As reported, the maximum size of chairs or scooters which can be loaded and carried is 47in by 27in and a top weight of 230kg, including the passenger - Mr Sutcliffe's wife's scooter exceeds the limit by 4in.

He said: “My wife's scooter is by no means large and I fear that if the railway pursues this policy I envisage a lot of angry potential passengers, unaware of the new ruling.

“It takes years to build up a good reputation, but only a fraction of that time to lose it.”

The railway's general manager, Paul Conibeare, said the policy was brought in because of the large number of scooter-users now riding the trains.

He added: “The larger vehicles have caused minor injuries to some of our volunteer train crews as they try their best to help manhandle these vehicles on to ramps or around the guards vans.

“We are trying to protect our volunteers while still providing a good day out for all our visiting public.”

Mr Conibeare said some exceptions would be made and were happy to make a decision on carriage on an individual basis.