Colchester North station lifts unavailable until end of March 2023
Please note that Greater Anglia Railways informed us that because the lifts for Platforms 3-6 and platforms 1-2 are at the end or near the end of their effective life and the spare parts and repairs virtually impossible to find or do the decision has been made to replace all the platform lifts all at once rather than let them breakdown causing unplanned disruption (and unplanned prolonged even more additional delays).
The planned works, undertaken in conjunction with Network Rail *the “landlords” means no lifts available for three months and special mitigation measures are in place (If one has WEB access see the Greater Anglia Website) But in summary understand the key temporary arrangements
- Anyone with mobility or other disability should seek and use the Passenger Assistance option when booking their travel
- This includes pressing the Ticket Assistance virtual button on the Self Service Ticket Machines that enables the customer (intending passenger) speak to real person at the Gtr Anglia Railways Customer Service Centre based in Norwich / England – that works in conjunction with the national shared service centre
- Stairway Chair Lifts have been installed But they cannot cope with heavy (electric?) wheelchairs or mobility scooters/ buggies
- There is a designated walking route that takes one from the North side Main Booking Hall Entrance down the slope of the approach road pavement and the main road overbridge and up the South Side Approach Road Entrance pavement
- A Mini Bus is on Standbye to ferry difficult cases from one side of the station to the other
- Or in extreme cases passengers may need to travel to Manningtree and use the lift facilities there to change trains/ platforms – perhaps in conjunction with a taxi arranged
- Two extra Agency Staff hired to provide extra support assistance (weekdays/ weekends?)
- Some trains down from London on occasions might be “re-platformed” (i.e. arrive in a different platform )
NB An extra North Side lift to improve direct access is being considered and plans are being drawn up – but require Government to approve its Funding
