Wheelchair Users Can’t Use New Railway Bridge
A campaign has been launched after a new bridge at a Kent railway station does not cater for wheelchair users.
Network Rail said there were too few users of the new bridge at Bearsted station to justify the extra cost.
However, it means disabled passengers who need to cross the track must travel to Hollingbourne or Ashford stations.
Wheelchair user Vicci Chittenden said it is this kind of lack of access that “makes a person with an impairment disabled”.
Network Rail had to apply to the government for dispensation not to build lifts or ramps on the new bridge.
The firm argued not enough people used the station to justify the cost and said the bridge had been designed in such a way that lifts could be added if required.
Neil Coyle, of Disability Alliance, said: “To do one bit and then come back for the accessibility requirements makes no economic sense.”
An online petition has been launched, with campaigners saying the lift is also difficult for those with pushchairs and heavy luggage to use.
Same Difference 
Disgusting , outrageous, this is 2011 is it not ? Another example of a big company trampling on peoples rights.
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FAILURE TO DO SO AT NEWLY UPDATED STATIONS SUCH AS BEARSTED IS DISGRACEFUL BECAUSE IT ISN’T JUST WHEELCHAIR USERS WHO NEED THE LIFTS – HEAVY BAGGAGE,THOSE WITH MILD KNEE/HIP PROBLEMS, MEDICAL FRAILTIES MIGHT PREFER NOT TO CLIMB THE STAIRS. THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY, NETWORK RAIL !!!!HOWEVER, THERE USED TO BE A SLOPE EXIT/ENTRANCE DOWN FROM THE ASHFORD BOUND PLATFORM WHICH COMES OUT ON A LANE, SO YOU COULD POTENTIALLY “WHEEL” AROUND TO THE FRONT OF THE STATION MAYBE THAT IS WHERE YOU PARKED YOUR CAR IN THE DISABLE SPACE?) BUT IT’S A BIT UPHILL AND AROUND THE FRONT OF THE SHOPS AND NOT MUCH IN THE WAY OF PAVEMENTS, PLUS NO LIGHTING….TYPICAL. TO ASK A PASSENGER TO CONTINUE TO HOLLINGBOURNE IS DAFT – THEY HAVE A BRIDGE TOO AND NO OTHER FACILITIES IN AN UNMANNED STATION – NOT THAT A MANNED STATION MIGHT HELP EITHER. ASHFORD IS 20 MINUTES DISTANT, OK THEY HAVE LIFTS, BUT THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER TRAIN (HOURLY DEPS) FOR ANOTHER 20 MINUTES, AND YOU ARE ALSO LIMITED BY THE FACT THE LAST TRAINS LONDON BOUND OUT OF ASHFORD AT NIGHT ARE AROUND 9 PM…..B****Y USELESS IF YOU ARE IN LONDON FOR A SHOW ! 2 1/2 HOURS OR SO TO GET HOME . IT IS A JOKE.
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