A disabled Baroness says it is "appalling" that all three lifts at a train station will be out of order at the same time.
Network Rail has announced a "much needed" upgrade of the lifts at Watford Junction with work beginning on October 28 lasting three months.
Baroness Sal Brinton uses a wheelchair to travel to Parliament in central London from Watford Junction.
Baroness Brinton said: "This is so badly thought through. I'm utterly astonished that all lifts are being done at the same time. It is appalling."
Baroness Sal Brinton
Lifts on platform 6, platforms 7 and 8, and platforms 9 and 10 will all be upgraded at the same time.
There is no step free access from platforms 7 and 8, which is the fast service in and out of Euston, and Baroness Brinton has slammed the step free access that has been made available on the other platforms.
Because there is no step free route. Timing dreadful: alternative route means only way to car park is via narrow underpass at icy time of year. Proposal: we get a taxi from one side of station to other. THIS IS NOT ACCESSIBILITY 2/2
— SalBrinton (@SalBrinton) October 15, 2019
Baroness Brinton has also taken to Twitter to express her fury
One of her options is to use the slow Overground service. To exit the station, the Liberal Democrat President says a new exit is being created on platform 6 but she says this exit will require her having to wait for two gates to be unlocked before venturing down an unlit path - which she fears will become icy during the winter.
Her other option is the slower London Northwestern Railway service to platform 9, which has faced regular problems with its lift over the years - but she says a gate to a car park is currently broken.
A dedicated taxi service can help take commuters from platform 9 to the station car park, but Baroness Brinton says it can sometimes take taxis up to 30 minutes to get across the station.
Dear Delia 1) do one lift at a time to minimise disruption to passengers 2) consult with regular disabled passengers to understand their problems 3) don’t do work like this over the winter when travel is harder for wheelchair users & downright dangerous at Watford.
— SalBrinton (@SalBrinton) October 15, 2019
The former Watford Lib Dem parliamentary candidate has also criticised a lack of consultation with commuters
Parents with buggies will be given assistance down the steps but Baroness Brinton says her wheelchair weighs 100kg on its own and it would not be safe to carry her down.
Baroness Brinton added: "I am delighted the lifts are being upgraded but I am not convinced it would take until February to fix just one of the lifts so why do they have to do them all at once? I don't understand, apart from financially what benefits there are to users - it certainly isn't accessibility.
"My journey times are going to be tripled and I am going to be left waiting around at the station."
Please note the below for anyone using Watford Junction station from the end of October. I'll be speaking to @LNRailway about making sure proper provision is made for passengers travelling with disabilities during this time.https://t.co/6EOpo5wceq
— Peter Taylor (@WatfordMayor) October 15, 2019
Extra staff and porters will be on hand at Watford Junction to help passengers with heavy luggage and to get between platforms while the lifts are out of action.
David Sides, Network Rail route asset manager for buildings, said: "We understand the lift upgrade at Watford Junction will be disruptive and we are working closely with the station operator to make everyone’s journey as easy as it can be during our work. We thank passengers for their patience while we make these vital improvements."
Sarah Higgins, head of stations for London Northwestern Railway, said: “We know improving the lifts at Watford Junction is a priority for our passengers and during this important work our staff will do all we can to ensure the travelling experience is as smooth as possible.
"We urge affected customers to plan their journeys carefully and to consider using alternative stations where appropriate.”
Passengers are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys and to plan ahead especially if trains are due in at platforms 7 or 8.
Passengers can book assisted travel by calling London Northwestern Railway’s passenger assist team on 0800 024 8997 or by visiting www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/book-assisted-travel.
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