A PETITION with over 1,200 signatures calling for access improvements to Pokesdown Railway Station has been delivered to Downing Street.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood, who is backing the campaign, delivered the document to No 10 himself.

Mr Ellwood said he hoped the station, which has not had working lifts for 30 years, would be considered for funding under the government’s Access for All scheme, which finances access improvements.

“I handed in over 1,200 signatures calling for lift upgrades to Pokesdown Station,” he said.

“I hope the Prime Minister will see from the number of signatures that residents are passionate about making this station accessible to all, from elderly and disabled users to young mums with pushchairs.

“I fully support this campaign and am continuing to liaise with ministers at the Department for Transport to rearrange for the new transport minister to come down and visit the station in person.”

A scheduled visit to the station yesterday by former transport minister Stephen Ham-mond was cancelled after he lost this post in the reshuffle.

His replacement in the role, Devizes MP Claire Perry, was unable to meet the appointment. The campaign, launched by Pokesdown Community Forum, is also backed by local businesses, charities and other organisations.

Online the petition now has more than 1,300 signatures, although South West Trains has said the station is not an improvement priority.