by Nicola Forman

Improvements to disability access at a railway station have been put on hold.
Southeastern railway had made plans to install, among other things a lift at the station which would allow wheelchair users, people with pushchairs and those less mobile to get over the tracks safely. At present there is a bridge with steps. The only other way is via a walkway across the tracks, which can, on occasions be used for these people.
Because the regeneration plans for Sittingbourne town centre include improvements to the railway station, these have been put on hold.
The draft masterplan for Sittingbourne is out for consultation. People are being asked their views on the plans including a bridge over the railway line, linking Central Avenue and the High Street. The route would include a ramp and lift as well as stairs.
Refused
Loretta Ford had complained that staff refused to help her over the bridge with her double pushchair after she was told she couldn’t use the walkway across the tracks.
She said she was told that there wasn’t anyone to help her across the tracks and that because of health and safety reasons they couldn’t help her over the bridge.
She said: “I’ve got twins in a double shchair, plus my five year old and it’s just possible for me to do that on my own. A member of the public kindly helped me in the end. It was just ridiculous.”
A spokesman for Southeastern said: “Wherever possible our staff will try to help our passengers. To use the walkway across the tracks, we have to seek permission from the local signalman, who ensures that no trains are approaching.
“Unfortunately if a passenger arrives shortly before a desired train, we may not be able to get permission in time which means we cannot get the passenger across in time as it would not be safe for the passenger or our staff.
In this eventuality, the passenger would need to wait until it is safe to cross or use the overhead bridge, if possible.
“Provided that any help does not interfere with the safe running of our trains, our staff will always try and help passengers with pushchairs across the bridge.
“Where this is the case, we ask that we carry the pushchair empty, to prevent any accidents.”