CAMPAIGNERS for disabled access at a railway station have received a massive boost for their cause.

Wivenhoe Town Plan – a blueprint for the community’s future – has made the issue a high priority.

It says the station needs to be brought into line with Disabled Discrimination Act requirements and will lobby for that to be realised.

Pam Glover and Heather Edwards, founder members of Wivenhoe Railway Access for All Group, welcomed the action plan.

“This will be a big help for us and what we’re trying to achieve,” said Miss Glover, 56, who lives in Vanessa Drive.

She explained wheelchair users, people with mobility problems or mothers with prams were unable to use the station.

The Clacton-bound platform can only be exited by a stepped footbridge or steps to Clifton Terrace.

Mrs Edwards, 51, of Britannia Crescent, added: “It is also an issue with the Olympics coming because paralympians will be using Essex University to train.

“How embarrassing would it be if those paralympians weren’t able to use Wivenhoe station?”

She said a report that the access group had compiled on the problem would be handed to National Express East Anglia within the next couple of weeks.

Town, borough and county councillors, as well as North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin and Colchester Cycling Campaign, have supported the group.

Mrs Edward said East Anglia MEP Richard Howitt had also been in contact offering his help.

The Wivenhoe Town Plan survey found transport was one of the main issues affecting residents’ quality of life.

It rated disabled train access as poor and said improvements would encourage more people to use the service.

Network Rail and National Express East Anglia have both said they will review the independent report.

For more information about the access group, click on the link via colchester-cycling. org.uk l See Postbag page 12