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Wednesday 27 Jan 2021

£500k revamp at Eridge station to improve passengers' journeys

Region & Route:

Southern: Sussex

| Southern

Passengers will now benefit from improved platforms at Eridge station in East Sussex which follows on from the £1.8m footbridge and canopy upgrade last year.

Eridge station serves the rural district in East Sussex with Southern trains services via the Uckfield branch of the Oxted line. Enhancements at the station include refurbishment of the existing platforms which will provide safer journeys for people who need to travel.

The drainage system has also been upgraded to prevent future flooding and improve the reliability of the railway. These works are the latest upgrades to be delivered at the station which will improve the passenger experience for essential travel into London.

Paul Harwood, regional investment director for Network Rail, said:

“We strive to put passengers at the heart of our approach to running the railway, and upgrading the platforms at Eridge station is aimed at giving better journeys to the people who need to travel on this route.

“Our engineers and contractors have worked in challenging circumstances at Eridge and these works compliment the recent £1.8m upgrade of the footbridge.”

These upgrades will also be complemented by Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR’s) comprehensive refurbishment of the station buildings, which includes a waiting room being restored with the help of a £30,000 grant from the Railway Heritage Trust. To give the station a heritage feel, GTR are using the colours of Spa Valley Railway, who run services from their own dedicated platform at Eridge.

Angie Doll, Managing Director for Southern and Gatwick Express, said:

“On behalf of our Eridge customers, we welcome Network Rail’s major investment in the station’s infrastructure. In conjunction with their work, as part of our network-wide, multimillion-pound station improvement programme we’re giving Eridge a full refurbishment inside and out, including a welcoming new heritage-style waiting room, more seating and redecorated toilets. I would also like to say a special thank-you to the local community who we’re working very closely with on the project, and to the Railway Heritage Trust for their important financial support and design advice. 

“If you have to travel during the current coronavirus restrictions, please remember the rules: hands, face, space.”

Network Rail will be back at Eridge later this year to deliver an accessibility scheme as part of the Government’s Access for All Programme.