Cheryl Gillan challenged London mayor Boris Johnson to provide better access for disabled rail passengers in Bucks in the House of Commons yesterday.

The Chesham and Amersham MP said she had faced "an almighty battle" to get transport chiefs to install lifts and step-free access at stations in her constituency.

Transport and for London and London Underground operate the stations at Amersham, Chesham and Chalfont and Latimer, but Mrs Gillan complained they missed out on vital funding as the area is outside the jurisdiction of the London Assembly.

Mr Johnson, recently elected as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, butted in to Mrs Gillan's speech to ask: "Does [Mrs Gillan] agree that her constituents get a superb service from Transport for London, without which they would be much the poorer? It is thanks to the continued investment by this government in London transport that we have been able to deliver record improvements in the underground generally."

Mrs Gillan replied: "My honourable friend has an impeccable record of providing services, but if he could provide me with my step-free access, I would be even happier."

The MP was present during a protest outside Amersham station a year ago, when rail users called for work to install lifts to be completed.

Work began in 2009 but was halted due to a lack of money and there are currently no plans to start again.