Harwich and North Essex MP, Bernard Jenkin, has written to the Minister for Railways, Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, pressing for funding to be made available for works to make Manningtree Station more accessible to elderly and disabled people.

Bernard Jenkin said, “Manningtree is one of the major station on the Greater Eastern Main Line and commuters from the Harwich line are regularly expected to change platforms, sometimes in a rush, to make the interconnecting train to London.  This involves traversing two sets of stairs and an underpass.  It is clearly unacceptable to expect elderly or disabled commuters to make this change and I was particularly surprised to learn Manningtree is the only key interchange along the line without either flat or ramped access or lifts.  I raised the matter with the franchise holder, Abellio, and am pleased to report they are working with Network Rail to identify how best to address this issue.  I have written to the Minister for Railways pressing for funding be made available for these improvements so that this station will be accessible to everyone.”