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Wednesday 16 Feb 2011

NEW ENTRANCE TO MAKE CLAPHAM JUNCTION ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Passengers today got the first glimpse of how Clapham Junction's Brighton Yard entrance will look following a multi-million pound makeover which will improve accessibility and reduce congestion at the station. Network Rail published a new artist’s impression of the eye-catching new scheme.

Work is now underway to restore the entrance, which has not been used for over half a century, to provide an easier way into one of Britain's busiest stations from St John's Hill. The project, which is funded by Network Rail, Department for Transport, South West Trains, Wandsworth council and Transport for London, will include new ticketing facilities, travel information screens and passenger toilets in a fully refurbished ticket hall, together with new shops. Outside the building a taxi and car pick-up and drop-off point is being created and cycle racks for up to 72 bikes are being installed.

The new entrance will provide a step-free route into the station, making it fully accessible to those with reduced mobility. This marks the completion of the £10.5m Access For All scheme at the station, which has also seen nine lifts installed between the over bridge and all platforms.

The new entrance will also provide an alternative way into the station for those coming from St John’s Hill, helping to reduce congestion significantly in the subway and main entrance.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “As train travel continues to grow in popularity, it’s vital everyone can access the railways and that’s why the Government is supporting disabled passengers through our Access for All scheme which aims to make railway stations more accessible and our National Stations Improvement Programme, which aims to modernise stations across the network.

“These schemes have enabled us to supported this redesign of Clapham Junction’s Brighton Yard entrance with £700,000 of funding.”

Richard O’Brien, Network Rail’s route director for Wessex, said: “The new Brighton Yard entrance will transform the way people use one of the busiest stations in the country. It will make the station easier for everyone to use, particularly those with reduced mobility, heavy luggage or young children, and help reduce congestion as anyone coming from St John’s Hill can use the over bridge rather than the subway.”

Jake Kelly, commercial director for South West Trains, said: "We want to make it as easy as possible for all passengers to access our train services. We are therefore extremely pleased to be playing our part in delivering this significant improvement scheme, which we know will make a huge difference to the millions of passengers using Clapham Junction each year."

Councillor Ravi Govindia, Wandsworth Council’s transport spokesman said: “This project will make it much easier for disabled people to pass through the station and could ease overcrowding in the subway tunnel by as much as 25 per cent. This will be very welcome news to the thousands of passengers who cram through it everyday on their way to and from work. It certainly won’t solve all of station’s problems, but reopening Brighton Yard is a big step in the right direction.”

Geoff Hobbs, Transport for London’s head of rail strategy said: “With so many people walking, cycling or using the bus to get to Clapham Junction station, the new entrance will mean more integrated journeys and significantly improved access for passengers. The cycle racks in particular will increase cycle parking provision by 140% at this busy location, which is directly on the London Cycle Network.”

Work is scheduled for completion by Summer 2011.