MORE than 50 people have attended a protest at Droitwich Railway Station against the closure of Snax on Trax, organised by the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Mid-Worcestershire Margaret Rowley.

The snack kiosk, which has operated at the station for the past 15 years, is due to close on March 28th, after losing its county council funding at the end of the tax year, which this year came to £40,130.

Snax on Trax is run as a charity by the company Worcestershire Lifestyles, and employed people with learning disabilities from the Kingsfield Day Centre in Droitwich, giving them experience of dealing with the public alongside volunteers.

Mrs Rowley said: “It was quite a good turnout, the passengers will miss it, there has been a petition got up by passengers. Not everyone who uses the trains realises that it’s going to shut.

“It’s going to close in a week and it’s going to be all stripped out. It’s a shame that it’s happened so quickly. I understand that they needed to make cuts, but I didn’t know what effect it would have, it’s only when we see the effect that it comes home.

“I’d like to see them reverse this particular decision. It makes sense for a number of reasons. It’s a service for the travellers, which is a valuable service, but more importantly it does give the people with learning disabilities something that makes them feel a valued member of society. I spoke to one of the carers of the volunteers and she says she doesn’t know how her son will cope without being able to come out to do this, he’ll be so frustrated.”

Mrs Rowley found out about the closure of Snax on Trax after attending a hustings to encourage more people with learning disabilities to vote, and meeting one of the volunteers.

She had the chance to speak to Tony Whicher, CEO of Worcestershire Lifestyles at the protest. She added: “He just said that unfortunately he hadn’t told us earlier, and he was upset that it had happened, but he felt that it was a done deal and there was nothing could be done.

“It’s rather late in the day I agree, but I certainly think if we could find some other way of funding it it would be much easier than to wind it up and start again. We need to highlight the effect that this has on people.”

Speaking about the closure earlier this month, a spokesman for Worcestershire County Council, said: "The Snax on Trax kiosk based at Droitwich Station will cease trading at the end of the month. The kiosk was managed through Worcestershire Lifestyles funded by Worcestershire County Council.

"Worcestershire Lifestyles are making arrangements for those volunteers affected by the closure of Snax on Trax. A new Learning Disability Connect Service will be functioning from Droitwich Library very shortly, providing opportunities to explore volunteering and employment prospects as well as other social and leisure activities."