Time to make Hither Green Station fully accessible

This has been an on-going problem for many years and too many years. I have live in the area since the late 1970's and formerly worked for British Rail (Train Driver’s Assistant) at Hither Green Motive Power Depot. The old entrances were blocked up in 1996! (even bricked up!- Platforms 1,2 and 3 from subway – partly due to placement of CCTV monitoring units for train crews of the new trains and the then ‘open station’ concept- fewer ticket barriers) .This all came into being when the 'Networker' fleet of trains were introduced. Since that time, for infirm, elderly and disabled persons and those with pushchairs/buggies or heavy luggage this has resulted in 20 years of very difficult access and for wheelchair users impossible access! Using main entrance from Maythorne Cottages/Staplehurst Road subway to Platforms 4 and 5 are accessible after ascending a steep slope, but then all other Platfroms are very difficult again for those with child-buggies and heavy luggage and are impossible for wheelchair users. From Springbank Road entrance - this has had steps since the 1940’s (!) when the then existing slope and subway access to Platforms 1 to 4 was bombed! So after negotiating these very steep steps to Platform 1 (this only served sparsely in the peak hours!) access to all other Platforms entrance is very difficult and impossible for wheelchair users. The Disability Discrimination Act became Statute Law in the same year as the railways were privatised - 1996 – not much progress!

I have two children, one still in a buggy... we have often had help to climb over the stairs from strangers but really, in a community with so many families with small children it is unacceptable to not have access to the platforms so we can travel. Not to mention our disabled community for whom it must be almost impossible to get around by train from Hither Green. I can only imagine how frustrating this must be.

Have to carry a buggy over the stairs a lot, asked for help from the staff once and was told only the supervisor can and he was nowhere to be seen so I've not asked again. Had help a few times but in this day and age not many people are so kind. Please make this step free, at least a buggy can be carried over but a wheelchair bound adult wouldn't be able to do this!

I have MS resulting in me having mobility problems and using a walking stick. Added to this I have a toddler with me most of the time. Hither Green is my local station and I find it difficult to currently use so we tend to avoid using public transport. Having accessible platforms would make an amazing difference to me and my family.

I am a parent. I have to get a pram with two kids over the stairs. Seriously.

This is long overdue. It will also be important to reduce the angle of the slope up to the booking office, as it is very difficult to push a wheelchair up it.

Current situation is a nightmare for those with prams, suitcases, wheelchairs & mobilty impaired. It is disgusting that in this day and age that such a busy station doesn't have access for all.

This is long overdue. The station is discriminatory against people with buggies or mobility issues.

Hello I find this ludicrous that in 2016, on one of the busiest station in south east, a disabled person has to go all the way back to London bridge just so he can get off on platform 4. Hither green station certainly doesn't believe in the values of "enabled"....

Step free access is looking overdue and urgently needed at Hither Green station. Trying to carry a pram up and down the stairs is very dangerous and really puts me off using the train.

Impossible to use this station should you have any mobility/health issues.

Near impossible to use this station with a pushchair. Must be completely impossible for people with disabilities.

The thought of having buggies to carry up those stairs is almost putting me off having children!!!

This should have been done years ago. I too have had to lift a buggy with a child up and down the stairs which to me is very dangerous.. At times there was no one there to assist me. I avoid the station as much as possible when going out with young children

It's awful that this station is so inaccessible to wheelchair users and others with limited mobility.

The stairs are awful and uneven and I have seen people trip going up them and had to give first aid to a lady who cut her head. The trains rarely pull into the step free platforms meaning wheelchair users, people with crutches or walking sticks and parents with buggies have a tough job of getting up and down the stairs unless someone is kind enough to help them out. I'm disappointed, but not surprised that the Government has once again pulled a U turn.

Given the number of people using the station it is disgraceful that nothing has been done.

I remember when there was access from all platforms. The slopes should never have been blocked off

I have just carried my 13kg toddler in a buggy up and down the stairs - quite nearly missing my step and sending us both flying. I agree with @nikki - its 2016 for crying out loud - INVEST in your community.

This has been dragging on for years and something must be done about it, especially now the station is busier than ever. So hard for anyone with a buggy, wheelchair or any mobility issues. Come on guys it's 2016 for heaven's sake! It needs sorting asap.