A DISABILITY campaigner has become the first passenger to travel on a Northern train on a mobility scooter.

Tony Jennings was the first member of the public to ride his mobility scooter from the platform in Ulverston onto the train using a ramp.

Mr Jennings, 53, of Ford Park Crescent, said his journey was "making history".

His trip came after Northern Trains Ltd, new operators of the Furness Line, introduced a new scheme to allow mobility scooters to travel on selected routes. Mr Jennings described the plans as an "encouraging sign" towards inclusive train travel.

“We’re really optimistic this is going to happen in the next few months," he said.

“All the staff have been really receptive and helpful towards making Northern trains disabled-friendly.”

The rail industry pledged to make all trains fully accessible with working facilities by the start of 2020.

However, half of rail providers - including Northern - applied for exemptions until the end of this year.

This is due to several factors including making stations step-free and ensuring scooters themselves are compliant.

“Wheelchair and scooter users want the same experience as everyone else when using public transport,” said Mr Jennings.

“It’s important that it’s as inclusive as possible.”

A Northern spokesman said: “The scheme, which will launched in the near future, will see trains running between Barrow/Windermere and Manchester Airport among the first in the north west to allow mobility scooters on board.”

Maxine Myers, Northern’s accessibility improvement manager, said: “We want to make our trains and stations as accessible as possible for passengers across the north of England. We have been working with members of the Northern Trains Accessibility User Group to create a phased introduction of routes and stations where Northern can accommodate scooter users across our network.

“We anticipate the first phase of this scheme – the Furness Line, Lakes Line and between Cumbria and Manchester Airport – will go live in the very near future.”