A DISABLED man who uses a wheelchair feels “let down” by a train company who he says make it impossible for him to board.

Russell Ayre, of Green Street, Enfield, is unable to use the Abellio Greater Anglia train service that runs between Brimsdown and Liverpool Street without booking a ramp.

But the 64-year-old says that even when he has given them ample notice, he is often left waiting on the platform because staff have not been told about his booking.

Despite repeated complaints, he is no closer to a solution and now fears getting on the train by himself.

He said: “They have fobbed me off without an explanation. They need to communicate with their customers, as they do not even seem to know what they are doing wrong.

“I was at Liverpool Street and wasn’t able to get on a train because they couldn’t provide a ramp.

“They said they would see if they could get help but they disappeared behind the scenes and I never got an explanation from them about why they couldn’t help me.

“I would have even appreciated being told there was nothing they could do, instead of just being ignored.”

He is calling for better communication between staff to make sure his pre-booked ramps are available when he needs one.

He was diagnosed with a tumour on his spine in May and now needs help lifting his electric wheelchair on and off the train.

After his diagnosis, he was forced to quit his job as an A-Level chemistry teacher and has also had to quit playing bridge and tennis.

He said: “I was given weeks to live after my diagnosis in May.

“I do not know what is going to happen with the cancer, as it is not a normal primary cancer. The doctors cannot measure it because they cannot find it.

“My life has changed a lot. I used to play tennis and drive but now I cannot even go on holidays abroad. My whole life has just been affected.

“I have enough to worry about without the added stress of not being able to get around on the train.”

An Abellio Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “We would like to apologise to Mr Ayre for the occasions when members of staff were unable to help him at Brimsdown and for the disappointment and inconvenience this has caused.

“Our local team are following this matter up and we're grateful for the comments and feedback that has been provided.

“We will also look to see how we can continue to improve the service on offer within the course of our existing short franchise, which runs until October.”