Media centre

Tuesday 16 Jul 2013

Investment to provide passengers with better station access in south east London and Kent

Region & Route:

| Southern

Eight stations in south east London and Kent are to benefit from an £18.5m investment which will improve passengers’ access to trains and platforms.

The funding is from the Department for Transport’s £380m Access for All scheme which is delivering step free access from street to platform at around 150 stations nationwide.

Network Rail will deliver the improvements which not only benefit passengers with disabilities but also those with young children or heavy bags.

Stations at Bearsted, Bexleyheath, Brockley, Honor Oak Park, New Eltham, Strood, New Cross and New Cross Gate will all benefit from the improvements.

Transport minister Norman Baker MP said: “The Access for All scheme is making a real difference to people using the railways. Opening up access at stations and providing step-free routes gives all passengers, including those with disabilities and parents with young children, greater access to employment and social opportunities.”

Fiona Taylor, route managing director for the Kent route, said: “Improving access at stations is an important part of building a bigger and better railway. These improvements will increase the number of easy-to-use stations in south east London and Kent, providing passengers with even more fully accessible journey options. As the railway is used by more and more passengers, we will continue to invest and make improvements whenever and wherever possible.”

Details of improvements at each station include:

Bearsted: starts August 2013

The existing footbridge will be enhanced by installing lifts to provide step-free access to each platform.

Bexleyheath: starts August 2013

The existing footbridge will be enhanced by installing lifts to provide step free access to each platform.

Brockley: starts July 2013

The existing footbridge on platform 1 will be altered by installing a lift to provide step free access to London bound trains.

Honor Oak Park: starts July 2013

The existing enclosed footbridge will be altered by installing two new lifts to provide level access directly from the station booking hall and step free access to each platform.

New Eltham: starts July 2013

The existing footbridge and stairs will be demolished to make way for a new footbridge and stairs together with two new lifts to provide step free access to each platform. A temporary footbridge and stairs will be installed until the work is complete.

Strood: starts July 2013

A new, wider footbridge and two lifts will be provided at the end of platform 1 and on platforms 2 and 3 to provide step free access. Improvements will be made to the existing underpass to provide extra space when accessing platforms.

New Cross: starts July 2013

A new footbridge and two new lifts and a new staircase will provide step free access to each platform.

New Cross Gate: starts July 2013

The existing staircases and elevated walkway to all platforms will be demolished to make way for a new high level walkway structure and three new lifts to provide step free access to each platform.

All improvements at the stations are due to be completed by summer 2014.

Proposals have been made to carry out Access for All work at Grove Park station and discussions about the improvements are ongoing.

For further information contact Network Rail’s national helpline on 08457 114141.