In autumn 2012, First Capital Connect (FCC) announced they were going to put lifts in at Elstree and Borehamwood station. This work started early 2013 and was due to be completed later that year.

In fact, the lifts were completed in February this year. As a mobility impaired person who has to climb the stairs five days a week, I have asked every month since then when the lifts will be operational to be given the reply “We don’t know”.

I have written to FCC who state that they are merely tenants and it’s Network Rail who own the assets of the station, ie the lifts, and, therefore, ultimately the responsibility lies with them. A bit of buck passing here I think.

The really interesting thing about all this is that in June this year, the contractors working at the station dismantled their hut in the car park, removed the hoardings around platform one and basically left. Since then no one has worked on the lifts, which allegedly were not ready to put into customer service.

What are we waiting for? Oh yes, that’s right, the new owners that are taking over now that FCC have lost their franchise to stroll in and have a grand opening. Meanwhile, travellers to the two airports that this line serves, parents with buggies and people who have an issue with stairs, just have to wait with no explanation for the seven-month delay.

Blake Lewis

Redwood Rise, Borehamwood