A MOTHER struggling to carry her daughter and buggy up a steep footbridge has joined residents campaigning to make it accessible for all.

With her one-year-old niece in a backpack and two-year-old daughter in the pushchair, Katherine Palles-Dimmock says the footpath between New Hinksey and South Hinksey, is a “nightmare” to navigate.

The midwife, who lives in Manor Road, said: “This footbridge is so steep and it does not just affect older residents.

“There are plenty of other mothers in the area who agree we need ramps to help us.

“On a Tuesday I look after my niece as well, and it is a nightmare carrying them both and the pushchair to the top.

“And with toddlers it is not as if you can take one up and expect them to wait patiently while you bring up the other one.

“One of them could just run off. You have to take them both together.”

The footbridge is going to be replaced by Network Rail because it needs to be higher to allow for electrification of the line.

Mrs Palles-Dimmock and others in South Hinksey want the company to put in pedestrian ramps as part of the revamp.

She added: “My mother, Anne, uses an electric scooter and there is no way she can tackle the steps.

“So she has to go all the way round by the A34.

“This footbridge is the main access point for people getting into the city centre but so many people can’t use it because it is too steep.”

Resident Peter Rawcliffe has started a petition urging Network Rail to make the footbridge accessible for all.

He said: “The existing bridge is high and steep. The new one will be higher still.

“The steep steps are already difficult, or impossible, or dangerous, for many people, particularly those with bikes, babies in buggies, small children and people who find steps difficult.

“The bridge is on a vital, well-used public footpath: people from Oxford want to get into the countryside, to the General Elliot pub, and so on.

“People from South Hinksey want to get to the children’s playpark, shops, doctor, community centre, farmers’ market and other facilities, or into Oxford for work or leisure.”

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Both district councillors Debby Hallett and Emily Smith have endorsed the petition.

Ms Smith said: “Please sign this petition to ensure Network Rail include ramps for the new footbridge at South Hinksey.

“Steps alone will make this public right of way inaccessible for people using bikes, buggies and wheelchairs.

“The bridge is being replaced anyway, so lets make sure it is fit for purpose.”

The petition, which was started on February 6, has 456 signatures.

More information: tinyURL.com/hinkseybridge