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Monday 18 Dec 2023

‘Lift-off’ –Streatham becomes latest fully accessible station in south London following accessibility upgrades

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Sussex

Network Rail has completed a £5m upgrade of Streatham station providing passengers with step-free access to all of the station’s platforms.

Network Rail has recently finished installing two lifts to connect the ticket office with the platforms, enabling passengers with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children, or bicycles with step-free access to the platforms

Other improvements completed as part of this upgrade project includes the realignment of the stairs on platform 2 and renewing stairs and handrails on platform 1 as well as refreshed lighting and extra CCTV to enhance safety and comfort of passengers, particularly when travelling during darkness or at night.

These upgrades have been funded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ‘Access for All’ scheme, which supports upgrades to create an obstacle free, accessible route from the station entrance to the platforms and generally includes providing lifts or ramps, as well as associated works and refurbishment along the route.

Hodan Hassan, Network Rail’s commercial scheme sponsor, said: “We’re delighted to have completed work on the Access for All scheme at Streatham station, which now provides passengers with step-free access to both platforms and generally a more pleasant experience when travelling by train.

“We welcome the continued investment from the DfT to support us in making even more stations fully accessible and we have a number of other stations across our Southern region that are currently being upgraded or about to benefit from accessibility improvements in the coming months.

“We would like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience and understanding while we carried out this work and we hope passengers enjoy this newly upgraded station."

Carl Martin, Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) accessibility lead, said: “We’re working constantly to remove barriers to make our services easier to use for everyone, so on behalf of our Streatham customers I’m delighted that all platforms now have direct step-free access. Praise is due to Network Rail for installing these lifts on schedule and with minimal disruption. 

“In the New Year our station improvement programme will be complementing this major scheme and refreshing the station with a new wide access gate and redecoration of the concourse and overbridge.”