A charity for disabled people have said they are “disappointed” after the plans for a station redevelopment were revealed to not include step-free access.

Haringey Council unveiled Network Rail plans to redevelop Bruce Grove station last week to much fanfare. It has been found, however, that there are no lifts planned to be included to reach the platforms.

The Markfield Project, which provides services for disabled children, said it had not been aware of a lack of lifts in the plans for the station until it had been contacted by the Tottenham and Wood Green Independent.

A spokesperson for Markfield said: “We do our best to provide support for people with disabilities, and want to create access for all people to public spaces. It seems like a wasted opportunity to redevelop this station for the local community and not include step-free access.

“I doubt it has been done on purpose, it’s just that clearly there has been a lack of thought and that is disappointing. If people are aware, then these things are usually included.”

Haringey Council said that the plans had been put forward by Network Rail, and that there is space included for a lift in the future. They did admit, however, that there will be no lifts when the station first reopens after redevelopment.

They said that responsibility for installing the lift would fall to Transport for London, who now run the station after Bruce Grove became part of the London Overground network.

Other local groups have voiced their disappointment over the lack of step-free access in the plans.

Matthew Bradby, chair of the Tottenham Civic Society, described the redevelopment as an “amazing opportunity, but a missed opportunity.”

He said: “A lot of our members are not at all impressed with the plans. I know that the council is very excited, but the designs have divided opinion, split people right down the middle.

“People I have spoken to have been generally negative about it – we didn’t think that the plan they are going with was the one that was going to be approved.

“Obviously the planning committee makes decisions and they don’t always go your way, you have to be philosophical about that. But having no elevator to platform level, no step-free access – that is just such a missed opportunity.”

Mr. Bradby also said that members of his society were also unhappy with plans to cover the current Victorian architecture of the station with a terracotta steel front, which will house a new ticket office and café.

He said: “This new steel and glass thing covers the old station on the High Road side. We wanted to see something a little more traditional, which fits into the local surroundings.

“They have gone for an uncompromising modernist approach. At a development forum held a couple of months back, people who went were overwhelmingly negative about those plans.”

Cllr Alan Strickland, cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said of the new design for station after its launch last week: “I’m excited to see this stunning new building move a step closer, bringing some striking modern architecture to Tottenham.

“Residents have been clear that they want to see better places to eat and drink on the High Road, and this impressive new space could be home to a high-quality business – as well as giving passengers the station entrance they deserve.”

Bruce Grove is one of the oldest stations in Tottenham, originally opening in 1872.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “When the railway was built it wasn’t designed with modern needs in mind and we recognise that it can be difficult for people with reduced mobility, or even pushchairs and heavy luggage to cross between platforms.

“It’s great that local people want to improve their station and we want to know about people’s concerns about access at stations so that when more funding is available, the rail industry will have the best information to put forward our bids.”

TfL have been contacted for comment.