The campaign continues to get a lift at Brentwood Station so disabled passengers, and those with prams and large suitcases, can access the ticket office and other platforms from the taxi rank and disabled parking bays.
Thanks to the sterling work of Jim Hoare at the Brentwood Access Group, TfL and Elizabeth Line representatives came to the station last week to look at dangerous hairpin bend at the top of the hill from the station, and the lengthy alternative route from the disabled parking bays to the ticket office and London-bound Platform 3.
The visit comes in the week train operator C2C and Network Rail have completed the installation of two lifts at Grays railway station in South Essex. The Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, is quoted as saying it is “brilliant” top see the installation.
Sadly, his latest response to me about Brentwood Station is less brilliant. Lord Hendy has made it clear that he understands train accessibility auditors found the step free access at Brentwood complied with current accessibility standards, and believe the lengthy route up the taxi ramps, across two pedestrian crossings and to other roads is “not ideal” but “the only viable option”.
Notwithstanding, I will continue to support Jim and the Brentwood Access Group in their endeavours to bring genuine step-free access to Brentwood Station.
