An organisation representing disabled people has hit out at lack of consultation over work at Chelmsford railway station which will mean closure of its lifts for three months.

The £250,000 work is due to start today and will result in improved facilities.

But Essex Disabled People's Association (EDPA) said that notice was not given that the work was due to start and consultation was not carried out with organisations representing disabled people.

EDPA director Richard Boyd said: "We have made a formal complaint to the Strategic Rail Authority and have also contacted the Department of Transport and the Rail Passengers' Committee for Eastern England.

"The fact that this is taking place during the European Year of Disabled People is absolutely crass."We would have been delighted to be involved in consultation and could have called in experts on access to make recommendations."

The work to replace the two lifts is being undertaken by Network Rail, for whom a spokeswoman said: "The requirements of disabled passengers and their access needs are always taken into consideration.

"The work is being carried out to meet Government guidelines. There will be some disruption and we regret any inconvenience caused."

A First Great Eastern spokeswoman said: "People who are disabled need to contact us in advance on our customer service number, 08459 505000. We can then give them guidance on their journey and suitable arrangements can be made."

Published Friday, January 10, 2003

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