New lifts at the Elstree and Borehamwood station broke down yesterday despite having only been opened to the public that morning.

Despite claims that both lifts were opened to the public yesterday morning, in time for the early morning commuters, the lift on platform one remained unusable throughout the day.

After Erica Marks’ son Benjamin was almost refused access onto a train in 2012 due to his wheelchair, the mother-of-four contacted the Borehamwood Times to highlight the need for step-free access.

Managers at the Elstree and Borehamwood station said they were “inspired” after reading her story, and contacted bosses at the then First Capital Connect to discuss funding options for the work.

Construction was initially set to start in September 2012 and be finished by June 2013, however a number of delays meant the work has only just be signed off more than a year later than planned.

Mrs Marks and Benjamin visited the station yesterday afternoon to mark the lift opening, but were told that the lifts were still not functioning and a technician had been called.

She said: “Somebody needs to take responsibility for this. So many people, elderly or with prams or in wheelchairs, cannot use the stairs and need those lifts. We need to know what’s going on here.

"We're going on holiday soon and we thought maybe we could take public transport now, but this is just going to cause too much stress if they can't even keep the lifts working for one day.”

Staff at the station were unable to provide information as to when the lifts may be fixed, but said an engineer had been called at around 7am yesterday morning.

A spokesman for Thameslink said: “Unfortunately earlier today we received reports that one of the lifts at Elstree and Borehamwood station has developed a fault – the cause of which is currently unknown.

“Maintenance contractors are looking to resolve the issue as soon as possible. We apologise to our passengers for any inconvenience caused.”

Reports from rail users state that the lifts are still not working, and it is unknown when the issues will be fixed.