Friday 22 May 2009
ACCESS FOR ALL AT OXTED STATION
- Region & Route:
- | Southern
Railway passengers in Oxted will benefit from full step-free access to the station following the installation of a new lift, providing a link between the station entrance and platforms 2 and 3. Significant improvements are also being made to booking hall facilities, making the railway even easier to use and more accessible for everyone.
The project, which also includes new CCTV cameras and telephone links in the lifts, and a new waiting shelter on platforms 2 and 3 have been delivered by Network Rail and Southern through funding from the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme.
Fiona Taylor, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “The railway provides Oxted with an important transport link into London. We worked closely with Southern and other stakeholders throughout the project, maintaining station access during the construction works. Passengers are now able to enjoy vastly improved facilities which will make rail use easier, safer and more accessible."
Oxted station, which is the start or end for over 1.4m journeys every year, is also benefiting from other improvements in the booking hall. This has been completely redesigned, offering a new and modern refreshment facility which is adjacent to the new open-plan comfort seating area, complete with breakfast bar, along with new dado wall panelling, new flooring and complete re-decoration.
Also, two new ticket windows have been installed which, at the press of a button, will move down to accommodate easy use by wheelchair users, better access from platform 1 to the booking hall via two sets of bi-folding automatic doors, new flat screen information monitors, digital upgrade of the CCTV system, additional CCTV cameras in the lower level of the car park – bringing the total overall at the station to over 50 and a modern lighting scheme in the booking hall.
Bob Mayne, Southern’s finance director, added: “This is another fine example of what can be achieved by working in partnership with other organisations. The lift, the new waiting room and all the other improvements at the station are superb additions and now make Oxted fully accessible for all.“
Notes to editors
- The new lift containing the CCTV and telephone systems, and the waiting shelter on platforms 2 and 3 at Oxted form a £1.4m investment through the Access for All programme. - Other stations in Southern area that have already benefited from Access for All improvements are Balham, Purley, Three Bridges and Worthing. Work is already underway at Clapham Junction, Dorking, Forest Hill, Horley, Streatham Hill, and Thornton Heath, while improvements are planned to get underway soon at Brockley and Hassocks, New Cross Gate and Streatham Common.Contact information
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03457 11 41 41
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southeastroutecomms@networkrail.co.uk
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