Media centre

Wednesday 29 Oct 2008

BETTER STATION ACCESS ON THE WAY FOR THREE HAMPSHIRE STATIONS

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

A major investment at Fareham, Fratton and Havant stations will provide step-free access to all passengers who use these key stations on the busy London to Portsmouth and London to Southampton routes.

This extensive programme of work, started this month, involves the installation of a new footbridge, two new lifts at both Fareham and Fratton stations, while Havant will receive two new lifts attached to the existing footbridge.

All the new lifts will be fully Disability Discrimination Act-compliant and fitted with closed-circuit television and telephone links.

Network Rail is managing and delivering these improvements, which are being funded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Access for All fund. Network Rail and its contractors are working closely with local authority environmental health officers to help minimise noise and possible disruption during these works.

In addition to these improvements, South West Trains and the DfT will be funding improvements at Havant and Fareham stations, which will see a new disabled toilet and split-height ticket office counter, allowing wheelchair users to access ticket purchase facilities.

Richard O’Brien, Network Rail route director, said: “When the work at these three stations is completed by spring 2009, the essential new facilities will make station and platform access easier for all passengers, including people with disabilities, those carrying heavy luggage and parents with prams.

"We are working closely with South West Trains and other stakeholders to maintain rail services and station access during this period.”

Stewart Palmer, South West Trains’ managing director, said: “With over 4 million passengers a year using these stations every year, these improvements will not only benefit existing customers but also help open up the rail network by making it more accessible for new passengers.”