'By the time I get home it can be 4am'

Nathan Rollinson says his commute would be substantially shortened if he could access Peckham Rye station

For wheelchair user Nathan Rollinson, the lack of step-free access at Peckham Rye station in south-east London means he has to travel the long way round.

"I finish work at midnight, 1am sometimes," he said. "By the time I get home, it can be 3 or 4am. Whereas if I had an accessible station to use, I could be home in 45 minutes."

Peckham Rye is thought to be the busiest interchange station in London without step-free access.

Plans to install lifts were shelved after the Department for Transport (DfT) cut funding in June's spending review, saying it was prioritising projects "that will make the greatest difference for passengers and economic growth".

"It gets to the point sometimes being like, 'am I better off on benefits?'" Mr Rollinson added.

"Emotionally it's just draining. The last thing you want to be doing is getting four hours home on a night bus with loads of drunk people when you're just finishing work."

Peckham Rye station platforms are only accessible by steps

Terry Titheradge says his wife, who began using a wheelchair two years ago, has seen her independence shrink.

"If we go out to shop and she has to walk very far, we have to take a wheelchair," he said. "But we can't get up the stairs at Peckham Rye station. So we now have to take a cab which costs £70 return just to go one day shopping.

"If you tried carrying a heavy wheelchair up the stairs with the person in it – impossible. It's not only people in wheelchairs, it's blind people, mothers with children and buggies, the elderly carrying heavy shopping. And no-one gives a toss."

The upgrade scheme would have added a new entrance and lifts to every platform.

Terry Titheradge says he and his wife are forced to use expensive taxis due to the inaccessible station

A DfT spokesperson said: "The scheme will be kept under review as part of our pipeline of schemes for potential progression in future as funding becomes available."

Southwark Council is separately pressing ahead with a long-planned revamp of the station square, which will remove a 1930s arcade and create a new public space with planting, seating and refurbished arches for local businesses.

Network Rail said it would continue to work with the government on the station's long-term future.