Greater Anglia has announced that it has submitted a bid for funding to help improve access at Colchester railway station.
The train operator has put in a proposal for Access for All funding to build a new passenger lift that would link the platforms.
Although there is a lift on the other side of the station, disabled passengers arriving at the main booking hall currently have to use a stairway fitted with a wheelchair stair lift to get to the platforms.
The scheme would create entirely step-free access at the station, and would benefit around 52,000 people a year.
The scheme has support from, Colchester Borough Council, Essex County Council and the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership.
What did the officials say?
Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs at Greater Anglia said:
“Combined with the continued growth in the number of rail passengers and the impressive accessibility characteristics of the new trains, there is an even greater impetus from Greater Anglia and the local authorities to try and secure the funding needed to tackle the issue.
“We are committed to improving access at Colchester as soon as possible.”
Cllr Mark Cory, the Leader of Colchester Borough Council, said:
“We welcome the opportunity to support Greater Anglia in its bid to improve accessibility at Colchester rail station.
“Colchester Mainline is a major commuter and interchange station serving more than four million passengers a year, so better access to the northside car park and ticket hall will be a huge benefit to those with luggage, prams or bikes, as well as wheelchair users.”
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About time that a new lift should be installed at Colchester North station main concourse. As there is 2 lifts that is only accessed from the side station concourse to the platforms. Which would make it lot easier for disabled passengers to access the station from the main multi-storey car park at the back.
Also Greater Anglia should install ticket barriers at Colchester Town station and at other stations where there has been ticket invaders and are easy places to avoid paying a train ticket despite getting caught on CCTV.