This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_east/6951914.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Taxis used between rail platforms Taxis used between rail platforms
(about 20 hours later)
Bosses at Newport station are paying cabbies £3 a time to ferry passengers from one rail platform to another. Cabbies are being paid £3 by rail officials to ferry some passengers between platforms at one train station.
It is because a new £5.5m platform, opened last month, does not have a lift for disabled, elderly or passengers with pushchairs to use. A new £5.5m platform at Newport does not have a lift for disabled or elderly people or passengers with pushchairs.
Network Rail said building a lift now would cause disruption, although there will be one in another redevelopment in time for the Ryder Cup in 2010. Network Rail says building a lift now will cause disruption, but there will be one in another redevelopment when the city hosts golf's 2010 Ryder Cup.
In the meantime it is to provide free taxis as a "goodwill gesture". The Disability Rights Commission says it is not ideal, but the firm is within the law as it is providing access.
The only access to the 270-metre long platform four is either a long walk through a car park or through the station over a footbridge. The only access to the 270m (885ft) platform four is either a long walk through a car park or through the station over a footbridge.
But both routes are too difficult for passengers with mobility problems.But both routes are too difficult for passengers with mobility problems.
It seems a bit strange if this was a new development that it wasn't thought about. Disability Rights Commission spokeswoman It seems a bit strange if this was a new development that it wasn't thought about Disability Rights Commission
They are now being helped into a taxi and driven half-a-mile around the station to reach the new platform. They are now being helped into a taxi and driven half-a-mile (0.8km) around the station to reach the new platform.
A Network Rail spokeswoman said: "The taxi service is there as and when needed and can be accessed via a help-point on the platform."A Network Rail spokeswoman said: "The taxi service is there as and when needed and can be accessed via a help-point on the platform."
A local taxi firm has been commissioned to ferry passengers who need help to the new platform at the station, which is on the mainline between south Wales and London Paddington. A local taxi firm has been commissioned to ferry passengers who need help to the new platform at the station, which is on the main line between south Wales and London Paddington.
The situation will change in time for golf's Ryder Cup, one of the world's biggest sport events, being held at nearby Celtic Manor Resort in 2010. The situation will change in time for the Ryder Cup, one of the world's biggest sport events, being held at the nearby Celtic Manor Resort in 2010.
The spokeswoman added:"Lifts will be put in a new station development by the time of the Ryder Cup in 2010. The spokeswoman added: "Lifts will be put in a new station development by the time of the Ryder Cup in 2010.
"To do so now would require a lot of development work and we did not want to delay the extension.""To do so now would require a lot of development work and we did not want to delay the extension."
Integral featureIntegral feature
A spokeswoman for the Disability Rights Commission said the situation was not ideal, but Network Rail was not breaking the law as they were providing access for passengers. A Disability Rights Commission spokeswoman said: "It seems a bit strange if this was a new development that it wasn't thought about."
But the spokeswoman added: "It seems a bit strange if this was a new development that it wasn't thought about." Conservative AM William Graham also criticised the lack of disabled access, although he said he appreciated that it was being provided free of charge.
Conservative AM William Graham also criticised d the lack of disabled access. "However, a wait until the Ryder Cup in 2010 for lifts to be installed is not an answer," he said.
"I appreciate that this service is being provided free of charge as a 'goodwill gesture', " he aid.
"However, a wait until the Ryder Cup in 2010 for lifts to be installed is not an answer.
"Disabled access should have been an integral design feature from the very beginning of this project"."Disabled access should have been an integral design feature from the very beginning of this project".