Media centre

Friday 15 Dec 2017

Green light for £2.5m accessibility scheme at Carshalton station

Region & Route:

| Southern

Rail passengers in Carshalton can look forward to easier journeys as Network Rail’s proposals for step-free access between the station entrances and platforms move a step closer.

Sutton Council’s planning officers have given the plans for new lifts and an underpass at the station the go ahead this week. Network Rail will now develop the scheme in detail with a view to starting work on site in autumn 2018.

Carshalton station sits on the Sutton Loop and serves over a million passengers a year. Currently passengers with mobility issues need to travel to the nearest accessible station to access rail services.

The improvements are being delivered as part of the Department for Transport funded Access for All programme which aims to improve step-free access across Britain’s rail network.

John Halsall, managing director, Network Rail South East route, said:

“Accessible stations make travelling by rail much easier and much more pleasant for a lot of people, especially those with mobility issues, the elderly, and parents with young children.   We look forward to working with the train operator, Southern, and the local community to deliver this project.”

David Coates, Head of Stations for Southern which runs Carshalton station, said:

“This is great news for our passengers and staff who work at the station. We’re really pleased this important project now has the green light.”

Tom Brake, Member of Parliament for Carshalton and Wallington, said:

“I welcome the news that Sutton Council has now granted planning permission for the installation of step-free access at Carshalton station.

“This is an important step that gets us closer to making sure that older people, people with mobility problems, push-chairs or heavy luggage and cyclists can all benefit from lifts at the station.”