Since 2018, Julia Lopez, the MP for Hornchurch and Upminster, has actively campaigned to make Platform 6 at Upminster station step-free. Platform 6 serves the Liberty Line to Romford and is the only part of the line without step-free access. Julia has consistently campaigned for more accessible public transport across the constituency so rail travel is easier for people with disabilities, families with pushchairs, older residents and those travelling with heavy luggage.
Updates
July 2025: The Government finally commits to a feasibility study whichw will look at the issue of making platform 6 at Upminster station step-free - https://www.julialopez.co.uk/news/government-commits-feasibility-work-step-free-access-upminster-station-platform-6
March 2025: Julia raises a Parliamentary question on step-free access to Platform 6. The Government confirms it will not cancel the feasibility study into improving accessibility at Upminster - https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0RwKV6npWyFMZQoKFUod3u5jEwSkjHseVsBTTMp3532xgqQG4ghNgVv66UhQEj2NMl&id=61561545212032
December 2024: Julia asks the Rail Minister to back plans for a lift at Platform 6 in Upminster. Ministers give no clear answer, citing an ongoing spending review. Julia writes again, seeking clarity and urging the Government to continue projects started by the previous Conservative Government - https://www.julialopez.co.uk/news/julia-lopez-pushes-answers-key-transport-projects-constituency
August 2024: Julia asks when work on step-free access at Platform 6 will begin. Ministers say the scheme may change under the new Government. Julia writes to the Rail Minister for answers and stresses the project’s importance. She continues to receive support from c2c, Havering Council, and over 1,100 residents - https://www.julialopez.co.uk/news/julia-lopez-mp-asks-labour-government-commit-step-free-access-plans-upminster-station
May 2024: Julia receives confirmation that funding from redirected HS2 money has been awarded for step-free access at Upminster station - https://youtu.be/ekcojiFk1RQ?si=pz3fdEwNhPdKSPeB
November 2023: The Government announces £350 million for railway accessibility improvements. Julia writes to the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, requesting that Upminster be included in the funding plan - https://www.julialopez.co.uk/news/julia-lopez-mp-continues-campaign-step-free-access-upminster-station
November 2022: Julia supports a new c2c bid to the Department for Transport aimed at making Upminster station step-free - https://www.julialopez.co.uk/news/romford-recorder-november-2022
July 2022: Julia meets with c2c CEO Rob Mullen to discuss step-free access at Upminster. Rob backs the campaign and agrees to approach the Department for Transport - https://www.julialopez.co.uk/news/meeting-c2c
February 2020: Julia supports the Inclusive Transport Leaders Scheme to improve travel for disabled passengers. The project is unfortunately no longer eligible for funding due to changes in scheme criteria. Julia meets with Network Rail and Leonard Cheshire and continues to gather petition signatures - https://www.julialopez.co.uk/news/government-launches-inclusive-transport-leaders-scheme
October 2019: Julia’s campaign faces setbacks. A bid for Government funding through the Access for All scheme is rejected. A new funding round opens, and c2c plans to submit another bid, but the project’s high cost prevents it. Julia remains committed and plans to present her petition to transport ministers - https://www.julialopez.co.uk/news/upminster-station-update
January 2018: Julia, alongside c2c, submits a bid using funding from the Access for All scheme to make Platform 6 step-free. She gathers support from local residents and meets with Transport Minister Nus Ghani MP - https://www.julialopez.co.uk/news/join-our-campaign-platform-6-lift-upminster-station
