Zach Eagling is campaigning to make public transport more accessible for wheelchair users (Image: Andy Stenning)
Zach Eagling’s local MP told him “we’re all behind you” in his .
Kim Leadbeater praised the 13-year-old, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, as a “force to be reckoned with”.
The youngster, from West Yorkshire, previously campaigned successfully for Zach’s Law to protect epilepsy suffers against online trolls and is now calling on the Government to do more to make train, bus and other services more inclusive.
Writing in the Daily Express, Spen Valley MP Ms Leadbeater said: “As Zach’s local MP, I was incredibly impressed by his determination.
“Campaigning together, I realised straight away he’s a force to be reckoned with. And now, instead of sitting back and celebrating, he’s tackling another issue: making public transport more accessible for those in wheelchairs.”
Kim Leadbeater has backed Zach’s latest campaign (Image: PARLIAMENT)
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The Labour MP added: “I am looking forward to working with the Government and Zach on this important agenda.
“If a thirteen-year-old from Hartshead can change the law once, I know he can do it again. Keep going, Zach – we’re all behind you.”
Zach has set up a urging the Government to make public transport more accessible for wheelchair users.
He said he believes there is a “nationwide problem which needs rectification”.
He wants there to be more accessible seats on buses and trains, as well as a more reliable service from assistance staff at train stations and airports.
He also wants greater care to be taken when wheelchairs are taken in and out of the hold on aeroplanes.
Zach said: “Please make public transport more accessible for future generations.
“Making public transport accessible for people with disabilities doesn’t stop it being accessible for able-bodied people.”
The Express has backed his petition with our Zach’s Right to Ride crusade and he’s , who is blind and has guide dog Jennie.
The youngster’s previous campaign led to Zach’s Law becoming official in 2023.
The legislation makes it a criminal offence to try and trigger a seizure in an epilepsy sufferer by sending them flashing images on the internet.
He launched his original bid to change the law after he was targeted by cruel trolls during a charity fundraiser.
Zach won a prestigious Points of Light award, which recognises inspirational volunteers, from the Prime Minster following his three-year campaign.
Disabled people make 25% fewer trips per year than non-disabled people due to barriers to transport, according to figures from the Department for Transport.
A 2023 survey of disabled people by the Transport for All campaign group found 56% of respondents were unhappy making journeys on public transport.
The Department of Transport has been contacted for comment.
Comment by Spen Valley MP Kim Leadbeater
For years, online trolls targeted people with epilepsy by sending flashing images to trigger seizures.
One victim was my constituent, thirteen-year-old Zach. But Zach was anything but a victim – he launched a campaign to make this a criminal offence. Two years later, ‘Zach’s Law’ was passed.
As Zach’s local MP, I was incredibly impressed by his determination. Campaigning together, I realised straight away he’s a force to be reckoned with.
And now, instead of sitting back and celebrating, he’s tackling another issue: making public transport more accessible for those in wheelchairs.
Zach’s ‘right to ride’ campaign aims to improve travel for people with disabilities. Currently, travel assistance can be unreliable, and accessible seats or step-free access aren’t guaranteed.
I’m proud to be part of a Government addressing these issues. Through the Access for All programme over 260 train stations have been made accessible.
Additionally, we’ve launched an expert group, chaired by Baroness Grey-Thompson, to remove barriers to air travel.
It’s essential that transport is accessible and inclusive, so everyone can travel with confidence. We’re also continuing to support small bus operators with £4.65m funding to provide audible and visible announcements, improving accessibility.
But there’s still more work to be done to ensure Zach, and others like him, have the same opportunities to travel as anyone else. I am looking forward to working with the Government
and Zach on this important agenda.
If a thirteen-year-old from Hartshead can change the law once, I know he can do it again. Keep going, Zach—we’re all behind you.