John Baron MP: Funding secured for disabled lift at Billericay station

MP thanks Network Rail, Greater Anglia and local politicians

John Baron MP has been informed that his campaign to secure funding for a disabled lift at Billericay station has paid off, with the Department of Transport agreeing funding for the scheme.

John Baron MP, Cllr Tony Ball [Leader of Basildon Council] and Town Councillor John Buchanan [Billericay Town Council] had written to the Minister of State for Rail, Theresa Villiers MP, to request funding for the provision of a lift for the Southend-bound platform at Billericay station. Currently, mobility-impaired passengers wishing to use the platform must access it through a side-gate via the car park which is a much longer way around, and does not have a dedicated path. Although Billericay station has recently been refurbished, funding for a lift was not allocated by the Government. Mr Dave Ward, of Network Rail, and Greater Anglia have been instrumental in assisting with the campaign.

John said,

“The lack of a disabled lift was the one remaining drawback to the improvements to the station. Mobility-impaired passengers were at a disadvantage, so this news is very welcome.”

“My thanks go to Cllr Tony Ball and Town Councillor John Buchanan for supporting this campaign, and to Greater Anglia and Network Rail for their support and undertaking much of the groundwork. It has been a real team effort.”

Ends

Word Count: 234

Date: 27^th February 2013

Notes to Editors:

• The lift will be in operation by March 2014.
• For further information, see John’s press release of 10^th May 2012 [‘John Baron MP lobbies Government for lift funding for Billericay station’].