LIFT-OFF AT LAST……. (Photo Special)
There was no champagne-cracking or ribbon-cutting but the lifts at Teddington railway station were fully operational today.
The two lifts have a capacity of 16 people each and are designed to help parents with buggies, passengers with disabilities and older travellers with mobility issues.
The lifts will be open for a two week ‘monitoring’ period to ensure there are no issues and then a formal opening will be organised involving local MP’s and those involved in championing the project.
Teddington Town road tested the lifts in Victoria Road and Station Road and is delighted to report the 10 second journey was a “flawless.”
A smiling mum with a pram made use of the lift on the Victoria Road side with an elderly lady who needed a a stick to help her walk.
The mum said: “This really makes a real difference to people like me.”
Another mum with her partner and a pushchair took advantage of the lift on the Station Road side.
She told Teddington Town: “The work seems to have been going on for ages but it’s great they’re finally working.”
Word quickly spread about the lifts being operation despite Network Rail announcing the opening less than 24 hours before.
Asked how she was aware that the lifts were working the mum told Teddington Town: “I had a text from another mum – it was very exciting news for us!”
The £3.6 million project began in September 2023 and was due to be completed by last October but was subject to various delays for which Network Rail apologised.