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Friday 25 Apr 2025

Accessibility upgrades provide further improvements to Stoneleigh station in Surrey

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

Stoneleigh has become the latest station on Network Rail’s Wessex route to become step free, following the completion of a £9.1m investment to improve accessibility.

A new covered footbridge replaces the existing structure at Stoneleigh station, providing full access via lifts or stairs to the central platform from both sides of the station. New lighting and security cameras have also been installed on and around the lifts and bridge and the existing bridge structure will be removed, with the ticket office sited on the central island platform.

Network Rail has been working with South Western Railway (SWR) and Epsom & Ewell Borough Council to deliver the enhancements with the Council providing £500,000 to the project.

Earlier today, these accessibility upgrades were officially opened at a ribbon cutting event in which representatives from Network Rail and SWR were joined by distinguished guests including Cllr Hannah Dalton of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council to formally mark the completion of the project.

Across Network Rail’s Wessex route – which serves the towns and communities in part or all of the counties of Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire – Stoneleigh station follows Motspur Park, Walton-on-Thames and Isleworth stations which have all benefited from similar accessibility upgrades in the past 12 months, with Teddington and Farnborough North stations also set to become fully accessible in 2025.

Stoneleigh station was originally opened in 1932 and was first modernised in 2014 with the platforms being extended so 10-carriage trains can serve the station. Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, over 750,000 passengers used the station*.

These improvements have been funded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ‘Access for All’ scheme, which is used to create an obstacle free, accessible route from the station entrance to the platforms. This generally includes providing lifts or ramps, as well as associated works and refurbishment along the route.

2025 marks the 200^th anniversary of the modern railway, inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, a journey that changed the world forever. Under the banner of Railway 200, nationwide celebrations are planned throughout the year, showcasing how the railway shaped Britain and the world and how its pioneering pedigree continues today and is shaping tomorrow. Railway 200 encourages everyone to join in this once-in-a-generation opportunity, whether that’s by displaying the Railway 200 logo, organising events and activities, running competitions, or sharing rail stories.

Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “The new, fully accessible, station entrance at Stoneleigh has helped bring the station into the 21^st century. These improvements make Stoneleigh station and the connection across the railway more welcoming to passengers and visitors alike.

“We are grateful for the continued investment from the DfT to support us in making even more stations fully accessible. Stoneleigh joins Isleworth, Walton-on-Thames, Barnes and Motspur Park in receiving these upgrades over the past 12 months.

“Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s investment helped us complete these upgrades and we are thankful for the enthusiasm in which they are supporting the railway.

“Works of this nature are, understandably, obstructive and we would like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience and understanding while we carried out this work. We hope they are all delighted with the completed project."

David Wilby, South Western Railway regional development manager for the metro area, said: “We’re making great progress in improving accessibility across our network and are very pleased to finally introduce step-free access to Stoneleigh, more than 90 years after the station first opened its doors. This is great news for the local community that we know takes great pride in their station, and who depend on it for travelling to and from work and visiting friends and family.”

Cllr Hannah Dalton, Stoneleigh Ward councillor, said “Having led the campaign to secure step-free access at Stoneleigh Station, I am thrilled that we now have not only a step-free station but a new station with new facilities, including a disabled access toilet.

The commitment of £500,000 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding from Epsom and Ewell Borough Council was pivotal in securing the Department for Transport’s (DfT) approval of the Stoneleigh ‘Access for All’ scheme.

I’d like to thank all the residents who supported the campaign and in particular Stoneleigh and Auriol Resident Association (SARA) who actively promoted the campaign; it really has been a resident led initiative that will benefit our whole community for generations to come.”

Helen Maguire MP, Member of Parliament for Epsom & Ewell: "It was a pleasure to be at the opening for Stoneleigh Station's new 'Access for All' bridge opening. This is great news for my constituents.

"As a gateway to London, ensuring public transport is accessible to all in Epsom & Ewell is incredibly important to me and I'm delighted that more passengers will be able to use our local rail services."

Adam Szeremeta, Project Manager at Octavius Infrastructure said "I am immensely proud of the team’s achievements on this station. The scheme provides full accessibility to all platforms removing barriers and harnessing inclusivity. Multiple highly influential stakeholders are a characteristic of AfA projects.

"By having deep roots in the area Octavius had the strong, established stakeholder relationships necessary to keep the project to schedule and cost. This institutional knowledge was central to flexible and efficient delivery which minimised impact upon people using the station and those living and working around it. Well done to all involved in making this scheme a reality.”