A DISABLED woman claims she has been made to feel like a “prisoner” in Selby because of difficulties in boarding trains.

Helen Weber, 52, an English teacher, suffers from multiple sclerosis and has to use a mobility scooter because her condition had worsened over the past year.

She said she wanted to visit her daughter, who was a student in Liverpool, and her frail old parents in York and also visit the theatre.

But Ms Weber claimed she received no help in getting on to trains at Selby Station.

Ms Weber said she had been in correspondence with TransPennine Express and Northern Rail, the two train operating companies in question, but received no firm commitment from them to assist her.

“We are sorry to hear that Ms Weber is unhappy with our service,” said David Mallender, spokesman for First TransPennine Express.

“The centre of gravity of user-controlled mobility scooters greatly increases the risk of the vehicle and its owner toppling backwards on boarding ramps where there is a steep incline.”

But Ms Weber denied this was a problem.

“I can argue against all these as my buggy is small and manoeuvrable,” she said.

“It is also fitted with an anti-tipping device. If it goes up anywhere too steep, for example, the engine just cuts out and the buggy just sits there.”

Mr Mallender revealed the company was looking into the issue as a result of Ms Weber’s complaints.

“In light of this, a working group has been set up to specifically look at assessing the stations served by First TransPennine Express trains,” he said.

Northern Rail said it was also looking to help, although it was unable to give any firm guarantees.

“We are generally unable to accept motorised scooters that don’t fold up on our trains, due to their size and manoeuvrability,” said spokeswoman Clare Conlin. “However, we wrote to Ms Weber last week offering to go and meet with her to discuss a way forward.”