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Wednesday 24 Jun 2026

Major upgrade of lifts at Sevenoaks station continues

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Kent

The lift serving platforms 3 and 4 at Sevenoaks station has reopened, with work now switching to the lift on platforms 1 and 2.

Work by the South Eastern Railway to replace the lifts at one of Kent's busiest stations is continuing with the reopening of the lift on platforms 3 and 4. 

The lift to the car park, concourse, and platforms 3 and 4 have re-opened today, 24 June as work begins on replacing the lift serving platforms 1 and 2. 

Alternative arrangements are in place for passengers who require extra assistance for services from these platforms. Southeastern customers who require step-free access can use Tonbridge station and request a taxi between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, or take a train to Tonbridge from platform 3.  

The major upgrade to the lifts at Sevenoaks station began in July 2025 and is part of a wider programme of significant investment aimed at delivering better journeys by improving accessibility and modernising station facilities across the network. The full programme is expected to be completed by winter 2026.   

With over 3.1 million journeys made through Sevenoaks each year, the station is one of Kent’s busiest. The  lifts had become increasingly unreliable, and this essential upgrade will ensure consistent access.  

The work will ultimately enhance the travel experience for all passengers, particularly those with reduced mobility but there will be a reduction in step free access to some platforms during the programme. 

The next phase of the lift renewal will see the lifts serving platforms 1 and 2 replaced, starting today, Wednesday 24 June 2026.   

During the work, Sevenoaks station will remain open but step-free access will be limited, and passengers are advised to plan ahead.  

Passenger support and travel advice  

To minimise disruption, alternative travel arrangements and assistance are available:  

Passengers are encouraged to speak with station staff for details of the alternative routes or contact the assisted travel teams at Southeastern and Thameslink.  

For Southeastern services:

Use Tonbridge station for step-free access to and from Orpington/London Bridge/London Waterloo East/London Charing Cross or use the Thameslink service and change at Bromley South for London Victoria. 

Station staff can arrange a taxi between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks or alternatively take a train to Tonbridge from platform 3.  

• Trains from Sevenoaks to and from Orpington/Lewisham/London Bridge/London Waterloo East/London Charing Cross will not be accessible from Sevenoaks station. 

• Trains to London Blackfriars via Swanley/Bromley South/Peckham Rye and Elephant & Castle remain accessible.  

• Away from London: Travel on services away from London is unaffected.   

• The lifts on Platforms 3 and 4 will remain in service and train services from these platforms will continue as normal.  

• The timetable for services from Sevenoaks will remain unchanged during the work. 

David Davidson, chief operating officer for the South Eastern Railway, said: “We are pleased to reopen the lift for platforms 3 and 4 and we thank passengers for their patience. 

“We know the next phase of works replacing the lift on platforms 1 and 2 will cause inconvenience, and we’re very sorry for the impact it will have on customers’ journeys, particularly those who need step-free access.  

“However, the current lifts at Sevenoaks station need to be replaced so that we can continue to ensure that customers are able to access the station without needing to use the stairs.  

“We thank our passengers for their patience and cooperation as we work to deliver a more reliable and accessible station.”  

Passengers are reminded to check for updates and plan their journeys in advance during the lift renewal. Please check at www.nationalrail.co.uk