CRAYFORD: Southeastern told to think again on step-free station access (From News Shopper)

CRAYFORD: Southeastern told to think again on step-free station access

6:50am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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TRANSPORT minister Norman Baker has stepped into the debate over easy access to Crayford railway station.

Bexleyheath and Crayford MP David Evennett, used an adjournment debate in the House of Commons last week to pressurise train company Southeastern, after it failed to make use of a government grant which would have paid for 50 per cent of the cost.

The Kent-bound platform at the station is only accessible by a footbridge over the railway line, which makes it difficult or impossible for people with mobility problems to use the station.

Next to the Kent-bound platform is a now unused footpath, which would give easy, step-free access to the platform.

The path was owned by Sainsbury’s and Mr Evennett held talks with the supermarket giant last year about using it for public access to the station.

He was told, under plans to extend its Crayford store, Sainsbury’s would be transferring ownership of the path to Bexley Council.

And a £55,000 grant from the station improvement scheme was allocated to Southeastern for the project.

Mr Evennett told the House: “It should have been so simple.

“What I discovered later was, due to its concerns about lost revenue, it had already decided not to proceed with the scheme.”

He said Southeastern was worried it would have to install separate automatic barriers and an Oyster reader for the Kent-bound platform, costing more than £55,000 and employ an extra member of staff.

Mr Evennett said Southeastern should be “ashamed” that a step-free access was still unavailable at Crayford, adding he was “appalled at the lack of concern for passengers”.

Replying to the debate, Mr Baker said: “I would encourage Southeastern seriously to look at this issue again.”

Mr Evennett said the minister has also told him Southeastern could apply again for cash for the scheme.