Tanni Grey-Thompson urges severe penalties after train ordeal

Baroness Grey-Thompson also called for level-boarding trains – where there is no gap between the carriage and platform edge – to feature in legislation coming soon to Parliament, which aims to establish new public body Great British Railways.

The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 required that all trains were to be made accessible by 2020, but many carriages still do not comply with the rules.

Since first speaking about her train ordeal on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, external, Baroness Grey-Thompson said she had heard from “quite a lot of people”, including wheelchair users who have “had to get themselves off trains” like she did.

“There’s always a worry that you’re not going to be met,” she said of assistance at stations. “Sitting in the doorway shouting to people on the platform, trying to wave to get someone’s attention, is stuff that I do, yes.”

She said she had also received some “hate mail” which had left her shaken. “It is shocking and a little bit scary – they’re not at the level where they’re reportable to the police but there’s a level of threat that makes them extremely uncomfortable,” she said.

ParalympicsGB’s chief Penny Briscoe said what happened was a “disgrace”.

Earlier this week Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Baroness Grey-Thompson’s experience was “unacceptable” and there “should be a basic requirement” for accessible facilities on all public transport.

Baroness Grey-Thompson is part of the BBC Radio 5 Live team in Paris – you can follow BBC Sport coverage here.