An MP said he is ‘not giving up’ on his lobbying for a lift to be installed at Marks Tey train station after a 73-year-old woman fell using the bridge, fracturing her neck in two places.
James Cartlidge, MP for South Suffolk, said improving accessibility at the station has been one of his top priorities since he was elected.
The woman is a relative of the deputy mayor of Sudbury, who said he was left feeling heartbroken after the incident.
Sudbury Town Councillor, Adrian Stohr said: “My 73-year-old stepmother-in-law fell while using the bridge, striking her head.
“She endured days in hospital in immense pain and in a neck brace, followed by what will be a long and difficult recovery.
“What happened to her has shaken our family to its core and it brings painfully into focus the risks that so many residents face every day.”
Cllr Stohr said the infrastructure at the station does not reflect the needs of the people who rely on it.
He said: “In this day and age, it is simply unacceptable that such a busy and strategically important station does not have lift access.
“The footbridge is often congested, the steps are steep, and for many vulnerable residents, the current layout presents a daily hazard. Accessibility is not a luxury; it is a legal and moral obligation. We cannot and must not wait for a fatality or life-changing injury before decisive action is taken.”
Cllr Stohr is asking community groups and businesses across Sudbury and the surrounding villages to write to their MP and contact the Department of Transport regarding the issue.
In November, Mr Cartlidge’s request for funding to install lifts was turned down by a Government minister.
The MP said: “I was very sorry to hear about Cllr Stohr’s relative who fell at Marks Tey Station whilst using the footbridge and wish her a speedy recovery.
“Marks Tey is a crucial interchange for my constituents using the Gainsborough branch line between Sudbury and London. Passengers with mobility issues, prams, or heavy luggage will know how difficult it can be to cross the bridge for their connecting train, so the issue of accessibility must be addressed.
“I’m not giving up, and recently met with the leadership team from Greater Anglia to ask them to ensure that Marks Tey remains one of their top priorities for any future funding rounds.
“I’m delighted to confirm that Greater Anglia agreed to this, so I will continue to lobby them and the Government for this overdue improvement at Marks Tey Station.”
Mr Cartlidge has campaigned for improved accessibility at the station alongside Dame Priti Patel, MP for Witham.
Published by Suffolk News.
