A station with 101 steps is a virtual no-go zone for the elderly and disabled according to campaigners demanding step-free access.

Many elderly people, parents with pushchairs and passengers with heavy luggage find getting to the platforms at Stoneleigh station difficult, if not impossible.

The situation is so bad that the train companies have had to lay on a free taxi service to take people to Worcester Park if they can't make it.

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Now Stoneleigh and Auriol Residents' Association, councillors and residents have started a campaign to get step-free access.

RA councillor Mike Teasdale, who represents Stoneleigh, said they had opened discussions with South West Trains and a site meeting was expected to take place later this month.

Coun Teasdale said lifts could be introduced or a walkway could be created under the station in order to make it more accessible for the disabled and infirm.

He said the station has a total of 101 steps - including steps at both entrances and steps down to the platform - and suggested that lifts or an underground walkway could be introduced.

He said: "The situation is very difficult for those with walking difficulties, for the elderly, for those with young children, buggies, as well as those travellers with cases.

"In addition there are many persons who use the station steps to go from one side of the railway to the other. 

"We have passengers using the station not only from the Stoneleigh area but from Ewell Court and Cuddington and those areas are fully aware of the current difficulties and many have pledged their support for our campaign."

Natalie Rogers, chairman of Stoneleigh and Auriol RA, welcomed the meeting with South West Trains as "an important first step in this important campaign".

Ms Rogers said: "We know from our residents especially those with reduced mobility, the disabled and also people with children, heavy luggage or shopping and some more elderly people just cannot use Stoneleigh Station at all.

"Our residents have seen step-free access being installed at the next station on the line Worcester Park and at Epsom station and now expect that it is about time Stoneleigh station was made completely accessible from entrance to platform."

She said the "extremely busy" station had approximately 1,168,672 passenger entries and exits in 2010-2011 and commuter numbers were expected to increase due to platform extensions.

But a South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance spokesman said there were no current plans to make Stoneleigh step free.

He said: "Most of the rail network was built many generations ago when the needs of disabled passengers were regrettably not taken into account.

"We are working hard to put that right and invest hundreds of thousands of pounds every year on improvements such as the introduction of lower counter ticket windows, handrails and accessible toilets."

He added: "We are committed to helping passengers with reduced mobility and those using Stoneleigh station who are unable to access the platforms are currently offered a free taxi service to Worcester Park, which is just over a mile away, when they book travel assistance through our dedicated passenger assistance helpline."