New £176,000 lifts at Basildon rail station have been officially opened by Basildon Access Group.

The lifts, which took two months to install, will provide greater access for disabled people with walking difficulties and benefit parents with children in pushchairs and passengers with heavy luggage.

The cash for the lifts was jointly provided by Railtrack and Essex County Council.

Railtrack route business manager, David Simpson, said: "This project will benefit travellers, young and old, who have trouble getting about."

Essex county councillor, Neil Spurgeon, Labour spokesman on the highways and transportation committee, said: "Access for all is a fundamental part of making the passenger transport network more attractive to users.

"The county council is very pleased that together with its colleagues in the rail industry, it has played a part in bringing a much-needed facility to Basildon."

Basildon councillor, Bob Sears, (Lab, Langdon Hills) said: "There was a goods lift there before which people in wheelchairs used but could only do so if there was someone available to operate it.

"This is good news because this is a central station and until now many disabled people have been going to rail stations further down the line so they can use a lift there."

Going up in the world - David and Shelia Neale were among the first to use the new lifts

Picture: STEVEO'CONNELL

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