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Tuesday 7 Mar 2023

‘Lift-off’ – project to provide step-free access at Bexley station in Kent kicked off in February

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Kent

Network Rail has kicked off construction of a new footbridge and lifts at Bexley station which will provide passengers with a fully accessible station. 

This project, which is funded through the Department of Transport’s (DfT) ‘Access for All’ scheme, is expected to be completed in late spring 2024 and will ensure there is step-free access to all of the station’s platforms. 

Network Rail will be working with contractors BAM Nuttall to install two 16-person capacity lifts which will be located behind the existing subway and help passengers with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children, or cycles to access the platforms. 

Platform one will be widened to create space for the lifts and allow passengers to navigate through the station a lot easier. 

Alongside this, a new footbridge will be built to allow passengers easily get from one side of the platform to the other.  

Fiona Taylor, Network Rail’s Kent route director, said: “We’re delighted to have started work on the new ‘Access for All’ scheme at Bexley station, providing step-free access to both platforms and to give passengers even more journey opportunities. 

“We would like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience and understanding whilst we carry out the work.” 

David Wornham, passenger services director for Southeastern, said: “We’re always trying to do more for our customers, and with this funding from the Department for Transport, Network Rail will be able to significantly improve access around the station as well as measures to make our customers and colleagues safer.” 

There will be a partial closure of some car parking spaces in the car park to support the scheme to bring Access for All to Bexley station. This will be to facilitate the site compound and working areas during the construction phase. 

There will also be 36 season ticket spaces suspended until the end of December 2023. Pedestrian access into and around the car parks and one-way systems will not be affected. 

Bexley station will remain open to passengers throughout the work and rail services will not be affected.