A disabled pensioner has criticised Transport for London (TfL) for blocking off an entrance at his local station, forcing him to make the “really painful” trek across an overhead footbridge.

Jack Andrews has been using Highams Park Overground station for 55 years but says all of a sudden it has become an “inconvenience”.

The 87-year-old of Oak Hill, Woodford Green, is awaiting surgery on both knees and struggles to climb the steep steps on the bridge after he has disembarked a train from central London on platform 2.

Last month TfL closed the gate, which leads to Hale End Road but after Mr Andrews issued a complaint, it was reopened between 5pm and 7pm on weekdays.

But the pensioner said this only “partly answers the problem”. He added: “Going over the footbridge is really painful.

“I’m awaiting an operation on both my knees and I can just about hobble along.

“It is lamentable and it is wrong. The Mayor of London is going on about travel for elderly and disabled travellers and here we have the reverse. It’s just thoughtlessness.”

Commuters disembarking trains on Platform 2 also have the option of using a step-free exit leading to Larkshall Road.

But Mr Andrews said using this route would leave him with “a lengthy walk all the way around” to get to his home.

He sees the move as “directly contrary” to TfL’s stance on improving travel for elderly and disabled travellers.

“I’ve lived here for 55 years and have been using the station and it’s now an inconvenience and it’s made me feel pretty sore about it,” he added.

“I did know the closure was coming because I saw signs but I didn’t realise how it would affect me until it happened.

“They need to put some access on that side of the platform.”

In a reply to Mr Andrew’s letter of complaint, TfL apologised for the inconvenience caused and said the closure of the subway entrance is to facilitate the installation of automated ticket gates.

The letter, dated July 6, states that TfL plans to reopen the entrance in the week commencing July 16 – but a week later it remains blocked off.

Jonathan Fox, TfL’s director of rail and sponsored services, said: “We are sorry to hear about Mr Andrews’s concerns about the changes at Highams Park.

“New ticket barriers were one of the commitments made when TfL took over the West Anglia routes in 2015 and they have now been introduced to ensure the station is operating safely and efficiently for all of our customers.

“Following feedback we are trialling having a member of staff at the subway exit during the evening peak to help ease congestion.

“Customers using this station continue to benefit from step-free access for both platforms and our staff are available to provide assistance when needed.”