Lack of disabled access at Essex station dubbed 'a disgrace'

An MP has dubbed the lack of disabled access at a city railway station an "absolute disgrace".

Southend West MP Anna Firth told the House of Commons it was "impossible" for wheelchair users and disabled people to access Chalkwell station.

Access routes to both platforms include climbing flights of stairs, she said.

Network Rail said it hoped to start work on a new bridge and lift at the railway station "by Spring 2026".

Conservative Ms Firth has now raised the issue in parliament five times, but she said she had not seen any action to rectify the situation.

She added that in the 1940s, disabled and pushchair users were able to use the railway station because the station had lift access.

Chalkwell Station is situated between Leigh-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea - and Ms Firth said it had good access routes for the county's coastline.

Speaking in the House of Commons, she said: "It is the main station for giving access to our beaches, it is accessed by 40 steps and is impossible for people with wheelchairs and pushchairs to use.

"I've been promised twice this year that it would be sorted."

She told BBC Essex: "The lack of a working lift at Chalkwell station is an absolute disgrace.

"We had better access in Chalkwell to the beach 80 years ago, in the 40s."

The lift, she said, had been replaced with a footbridge in that time.

"All I am asking for is to go back to the disability access we used to have at Chalkwell - and it is incredibly frustrating.

"This has got to happen."

Network Rail added: "We had to review our plans in light of inflation and cost pressures to ensure they remained good value to the taxpayer, which is why the project has taken longer than we'd have liked."

A spokesperson from c2c said: "We know that step-free access at Chalkwell station will have a positive impact on our passengers and the local community so we are looking forward to this project commencing.

"We remain committed to the project as we know this will bring benefits for local customers and visitors".

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