THE manager of a free mobility scooter service has backed a petition for lifts to be installed at a busy tube station in Harrow.

Pushpa Hargovan, manager of Harrow Shopmobility, has supported the petition for lifts to be put into Harrow-on-the-Hill tube station.

Shopmobility, based at St George’s Shopping Centre, in St Ann’s Road, started in 1994 and provides a service from Monday to Friday and the first Saturday of every month to people who wish to borrow one of 25 scooters or 60 wheelchairs in the town centre.

Tube-users supported the campaign last week for lifts at Harrow-on-the-Hill tube station after Councillor Sue Anderson (Greenhill, Labour) collected around 200 signatures.

Mrs Hargovan said: “The station is considered one of the major points of arrival for the town centre. I think there is a lack of equality in this situation and disabled people are being discriminated against.

“A lot of disabled people that use our services don’t have access to transport. Many rely on their friends and family to bring them to the town centre.

“Many also get taxis to help them out, which costs a lot of money. They need to be able to reach the main shopping area easily.

“Here there are doctors, libraries, and shops and if people don’t come here then they risk feeling isolated.

“Having lifts at the station would give the independence they need. It’s very important to look into this as it was something that has been considered previously.

“It is also of course important for parents with prams and people with heavy shopping.”

Speaking to the Harrow Times about installing the lifts last week, London mayor Boris Johnson said it was on his “list of things to do” but it was not possible yet due to cost.

The petition can be accessed at www.ipetitions.com/petition/access-at-harrow-on-the-hill-station

Would you back the campaign? Leave your comments below.