People with disabilities are being let down by an unacceptable lack of accessibility at Chessington North train station, campaigners and politicans have said.

Wheelchair users are forced to take a bus to another station while other passengers with reduced mobility must cope with steep stairs - the only way up to Chessington North's two platforms.

Former wheelchair athlete and Bad Education actor Jack Binstead, 18, who regularly commutes to central London, lives yards from the station in Bridge Road but has to ride the bus to Surbiton station instead.

He said: "[People who use wheelchairs] don't use trains a lot but there are people who do and it's them who are being let down.

"It is elderly people with sticks and walking frames, parents with buggies. A single mum is going to struggle carrying that up the stairs by herself.

"It is essential that a lift is put into the station so more people feel they can use it."

Chessington councillor Margaret Thompson said: "The constant response is that they don't have the money.

"It's not always possible for people to travel to Surbiton, and not always practical."

Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey said: "I will strongly back this latest campaign and raise it with South West Trains managers direct.

"It is vital we ensure everyone can use our trains whether it is the disabled, the elderly with mobility problems or parents with pushchairs."

Conservative parliamentary candidate James Berry said: "An upgrade is long overdue. It is not acceptable that anyone living south of the A3 has to get the number 71 up to Surbiton to use an accessible station."

Earlier this year South West Trains and Network Rail came under fire after their spokesman suggested disabled passengers travel to "nearby" Surbiton, New Malden or Worcester Park stations if they could not access Chessington South.

A spokesman from their partnership said this week: "Most of the rail network was built many generations ago when the needs of passengers with reduced mobility were regrettably not taken into account.

"However, we are working hard to put that right and more than three quarters of our passengers now travel via fully accessible stations.

"Those using Chessington North station who are unable to access the platforms are currently offered a free taxi service to the nearest fully accessible station.

"This is advertised on our website and in literature at our stations."

The operator hopes to access Department for Transport funding for improvements, he added.