CAMPAIGNERS say Erith train station has been “left out in the cold” after it was not selected to receive funding to provide disabled access.

In April, the Department for Transport invited funding bids from rail companies for disabled access projects at stations costing between £250,000 and £1m. Last Tuesday (December 6) Bexleyheath station was one of 83 stations in the country that was selected to receive funding.

It will receive £1m to install two lifts from the station’s footbridge to the platform.

Crayford station will also receive £53,000 for a footpath and ramp at the station.

But Erith station isn't getting a penny towards what the Erith Town Forum believe are much needed upgrades.

Wheelchair users can access Kent-bound trains as the platform lies at the station entrance.

However the platform to London requires going over a footbridge.

As there is no lift, people with mobility problems have to take a train travelling in the opposite direction to Dartford where there is lift access to London-bound platforms.

But on average this adds an extra 30 minutes to journey time.

Erith Town Forum chairwoman Doreen Ives said: “Erith station has been left out in the cold.

“People will be very disappointed.

“We need disabled access for all the stations so I would not want to deny any station of it, but why has Bexleyheath got funding when we haven’t?

“Bexley College is also relocating (opposite) Erith station, so it will get very busy.”

Wheelchair user Terry Middleditch of Christ Church Avenue, Sidcup has been supporting the forum in improving disabled access.

The 63-year-old said: “I’m aggrieved as we have been through this for some time.

“We just seem to be left behind, we are totally neglected.

“The government is talking about disabled unemployment and getting people back to work but there are disadvantages every way you turn.

“We are totally neglected.”

A Network Rail spokeswoman says funding was allocated according to need.

She said: “When bidding for government funding as part of the Access for All programme, there are many considerations but ultimately we want to be able to improve access where it’s most needed and will benefit the most passengers.

“We want to know about people’s concerns about access at stations so that when more funding is available we have the best information to put forward our bids.”

For more information, go to networkrail.co.uk