A woman with mobility issues has said a new accessible bridge with lifts being built at Stowmarket train station will be a game-changer for her and for those with disabilities.
Hollie-Anne Brooks, 35, who has ME and a rare neurological disorder, is reliant on a crutch to get around and says catching a train is a challenging ordeal due to accessibility at the station.
The current bridge, with its steep stairs, is inaccessible to many with mobility issues — leaving a detour via the level crossing as the only alternative which Hollie-Anne said has often led to missed trains and increased fatigue.
Hollie-Anne Brooks is looking forward to the new accessible bridge coming to the train station. Picture: Mark WestleyAn artist’s impression of the AVA bridge coming to Stowmarket. Picture: Greater Anglia
The £5.5 million project to build the ‘revolutionary’ AVA bridge, which includes two lifts, looks to address these issues and is set to be the first of its kind in the country.
“It’s going to be life-changing,” said Hollie-Anne. “I’m very excited to see it finally developed, it’s been a really long time coming.
“With my neurological disorder, to put it simply, my brain really doesn’t like going downhill and it will think the next step isn’t going to be there — so it constantly feels like I’m falling.
Works at the station in Stowmarket started last month. Picture: Mark WestleyHollie-Anne with the statue of Paddington in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: Submitted
“Going up and down the steps at the station is just a nightmare — I have only done it once or twice and absolutely hated every second.
“If you’re able to use the bridge, you can most likely get across to the other platform in 30 seconds, but I have to leave my home 20 minutes before my train is due to arrive because I have to take into account that I’m going to be stuck waiting at the level crossing gates.
“For me, just standing at the crossing can be so exhausting too. So even before I get on the train and properly start my journey, I’m already drained.”
The freelance journalist’s life was changed forever six years ago when she contracted meningitis and sepsis.
Hollie-Anne lives with ME and was a full-time wheelchair user for two and a half years. Picture: Mark WestleyA temporary bridge at the train station will be in place from tomorrow. Picture: SuffolkNews
A second bout of meningitis left her diagnosed with ME and a rare neurological disorder — requiring her to use a wheelchair full-time for about two and a half years.
After eight weeks of rehabilitation to learn how to walk again, Hollie-Anne moved to Stowmarket two years ago to live with her boyfriend and has been an active voice in the community for disability rights.
“Getting the diagnosis was horrific as you can imagine,” she said. “To contract meningitis twice in the space of three months is incredibly rare and I am very lucky to still be here.
A prototype of the AVA steel bridge was built in Kent in August. Picture: Network RailThe new bridge will lifts is expected to be open to the public by the summer. Picture: SuffolkNews
“Living with ME means I struggle with fatigue, aches and pains — and issues with body temperature regulation is a big one for me.
“I do rely on a crutch as my mobility aid and that works for me, but I know having this bridge means a lot to us with mobility issues in the town.
“We deserve the same spontaneous attitude everyone else has with just catching a train, whether you’re meeting up with friends or just fancy a day out to Norwich or Felixstowe or wherever you want to go.
“I think the disabled community often experiences more isolation than many people realise simply because navigating these common accessibility challenges can make it difficult to participate in everyday activities.”
Greater Anglia received funding for accessibility improvements at the station under the Government’s ‘Access for All’ scheme and, after the works officially began in December, a temporary bridge will be in place from tomorrow to keep the station open and running during the works.
Though Hollie-Anne is looking forward to the new bridge, some have voiced their concerns on social media about the stainless steel design which some believe to be ugly and not in keeping with the rest of the station.
In response to this, Hollie-Anne said: “Not having decent access at the station is incredibly ugly in itself, right?
“Sure, it might look like a big ugly metal thing to someone — but you have to think about what it represents for the town.
“I would much rather see people’s beautiful smiles knowing they have been granted a bit more freedom.”
After first being announced in June 2022, the bridge project has faced two years of delays and it is now scheduled for installation by the end of May — with plans to open to the public by the summer.
Greater Anglia has not yet provided an explanation for the setbacks.