A CHAMPION for disabled people's rights has welcomed the construction of the new overhead accessible bridge at Port Glasgow station.

Former SNP councillor and wheelchair user Jim MacLeod says he first raised issues affecting disabled passengers at the station almost 30 years ago.

While it has taken a long time for them to be addressed he is pleased that the work has finally been done.

Councillor MacLeod said: "It's great to see that 28 years after I first raised the problems that disabled people faced accessing trains that the new entrance and overhead bridge has finally been constructed.

“One of the greatest problems has been travelling back from Glasgow and getting off at the Port for wheelchair, powerchair and scooter users. They have had to go up over Highholm and back round to the town centre.

"The journey there has been lengthy, lacking good lighting and it raised issues of safety.

“Thankfully the work is now almost complete.

"Many folk might say it is long overdue.

"Others would say better late than never.”