Media centre

Thursday 21 Jul 2011

BLACKHEATH STATION BECOMES ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE

Region & Route:

| Southern

It is now even easier for all passengers in Blackheath to travel by train with a new step-free route between the entrance and both platforms.

The multi-million pound project, funded by the government’s Access for All scheme, included the installation of a new lift with CCTV and telephone links, and a new staircase to platform 1 which serves London-bound trains. A new gate was also installed to reopen the existing access point to platform 2 which serves trains towards Kent. To keep disruption to a minimum and get best value for money, work to renovate the platforms took place at the same time.

Transport minister Norman Baker said: “It is important that everyone is able to access the railways as rail travel continues to grow in popularity – that is why we have contributed £1.1m from our Access for All initiative to upgrading Blackheath station. In total we are committed to spending £370m on upgrading stations across Britain for people with reduced mobility.”

Dave Ward, Network Rail’s route director for Kent, said: “Thousands of people living and working in Blackheath rely on the railway every day. This new step-free route around the station is great news for passengers and will make it much easier for everyone to use the train, especially those with reduced mobility or with small children. It r significant investment in our stations so they better meet the ever changing needs of passengers.”

Vince Lucas, service delivery director, Southeastern, added: “For our passengers at Blackheath the completion of this project is a real improvement that they can see for themselves. The station is vital to the local community and encouraging more and more people to use trains has to be a good thing. As with other stations which have benefited from similar schemes, we are sure that more passengers will now start to use the train to get around.”