ERITH and Thamesmead MP Teresa Pearce has written to the Transport Secretary urging him to create disabled access at Erith railway station.

Wheelchair users and people with mobility disabilities who travel to London from Erith must take a train travelling in the opposite direction to Dartford station where there is lift access.

They then have to get the lift up to a different platform and travel back in the direction they have come from towards London.

This adds at least 25 to 30 minutes to their journey time.

Members of Erith Town Forum have been campaigning for better access at the station for more than 10 years.

Terry Middleditch, who uses a wheelchair, said: “It’s terrible. We have not got freedom of choice.

“It’s frustrating they are upgrading other stations but Erith is not even on the system for improvements for access.”

The 63-year-old added: “They could either put in an actual lift which would take you over the platform or put in a stair lift across the bridge.

“It’s not just for people with wheelchairs but mums with pushchairs and elderly people.”

Ms Pearce has already raised the lack of lift access with Southeastern and Network Rail and is now hoping Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will take action.

Ms Pearce said: “It is completely wrong that some disabled people in Erith have to travel 15 minutes in the wrong direction until they can find a station with a lift and go back towards London.

“It adds around half an hour to each journey and no doubt makes it even harder to access jobs and opportunities in central London.”

She added: “The simple addition of a lift to give disabled access to the platform for London-bound trains would make a huge difference to their everyday lives. I hope the Transport Secretary will see sense on this issue and put Erith on the list for accessibility improvements.”