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Monday 20 Jun 2011

MAJOR REVAMP FOR EARLSFIELD STATION REVEALED

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

New images have been unveiled showing how Earlsfield station will look following a major revamp which will bring long-lasting improvements to access and facilities for the thousands of passengers who use it every day.

The project, which is being funded through the government’s Access for All scheme, South West Trains, Wandsworth Borough Council and the national stations improvement programme, includes:

- The installation of two lifts – one serving platforms 1 and 2 and the other serving platform 3
- The creation of walkways to link the lifts directly from the station entrance to the platforms, providing a step-free route into the station
- The existing ticket office / entrance on Garratt Lane will be demolished to make way for a new modern building which is designed to make it easier for passengers to move around, particularly at the busiest times of the day
- The new ticket office will also include facilities which better meet the needs of passengers, including more automated ticket machines, new customer information screens, fully accessible ticket windows, passenger toilets and a new staircase to platform 3.

Richard O’Brien, Network Rail’s route managing director for Wessex, said: “We are committed to building a bigger and better railway for the British people and improving access and facilities at stations is an important part of this. The upgrade at Earlsfield will make it easier for everyone to travel by train and better meet the ever-changing needs of passengers and businesses.”

Malcolm Page, station development manager, South West Trains, said: “We are pleased to be contributing towards this significant project with our partners to provide a much improved and brighter station for Earlsfield’s passengers. Passengers in Earlsfield rely on rail for 2.8m journeys every year, reflecting its importance to the community and local economy."

The creation of the temporary ticket office on platforms 1 / 2 and a temporary footbridge has already started, with major construction work due to start in late Autumn. The first phase of the works is the construction of the new ticket office building and installation of the lift to platform 3. This is due to be completed in the early part of 2012, at which point work will start on the installation of the lift to platforms 1 / 2. All work is due form completion in summer 2012.

Train services should be largely unaffected for the duration of the construction work, however Network Rail will be working closely with South West Trains to keep any inconvenience to passengers and line-side neighbours to a minimum.