A former MP has hit out at rail bosses for overlooking a suggested disabled access route into Chessington South station.

Andrew Mackinlay, former Labour MP for Thurrock - who lives in Chessington - said a closed sloping path in Garrison Lane should be opened for use.

Surrey Comet:

He said: "It has a gentle gradient from the platform to the highway.

"This access has been padlocked and fenced for quite a while.

"It really is a scandalous and indefensible situation, substantially disadvantaging thousands of people [who] use the station every year."

But a spokesman for South West Trains and Network Rail said: "The slope in question at Chessington South has never been an official route to the platform.

"[It] is not compliant with disability access legislation and is therefore kept locked for the safety of passengers, particularly those with reduced mobility.

"Nearby Surbiton, New Malden and Worcester Park stations are fully accessible, and anyone who requires assistance is encouraged to book ahead through our assisted travel team."

Though they have full disabled access, those stations are significantly busier than Chessington South.

Worcester Park, the least well-used of the three, saw 1.3m passengers pass through barriers in 2012/13, compared to just 246,000 at Chessington South.

Chessington South councillor Rachel Reid said: "I don't buy that as an excuse - that's shocking.

"From Chessington it's not even a direct bus to New Malden.

"Surbiton, I could vaguely have let them get away with."

The case for improving access at Garrison Lane is "obvious", she added.

Mr Mackinlay added: "Their response is both bureaucratic and boorish.

"I am not suggesting that it is in a condition to be reopened this afternoon."

Help with travel can be arranged by calling 0800 52 82 100.

Distances from Chessington South to:

  • Worcester Park: five miles
  • New Malden: 5.3 miles
  • Surbiton: 3.2 miles