I was not surprised to read the article concerning the discrimination against Mr and Mrs Mann at Southend East railway station (Echo, October 24).

c2c should be ashamed of itself, spending all that money on refurbishing the station and ignoring the needs of disabled people.

Why does it not surprise me? Because in the Echo in August, I read £800,000 was to be spent on Chalkwell rail station.

With just two weeks for consultation on these plans, I soon found out c2c has no plans to install a lift.

Once again c2c is breaking its duties under all the discrimination laws.

Chalkwell station is the only station on the Fenchurch Street line which is situated alongside the beach, with no roads to cross.

Hundreds of children come to this station in the summer and what a disgrace no disabled child who uses a wheelchair would be able to come with their friends.

Never mind the large numbers of the population who are elderly, or parents with prams and buggies, who would like to travel by train to the seaside.

I understand most of the money is going to be spent on cycling facilities.

All able-bodied people once again, and the disabled are forgotten.

c2c spokesman Peter Meades should travel to each of his stations in a wheelchair, or with a blind fold on, and he may have a little bit more understanding of Jeffery Mann’s needs.

Jill Allen-King
Silversea Drive
Westcliff