Media centre

Wednesday 5 Jan 2011

NEW IMAGES SHOW DENMARK HILL WILL BE MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL

Region & Route:

| Southern

Images have been unveiled today of a new footbridge and lifts planned for Denmark Hill which will create a step-free route between the station entrance and all four platforms.

Denmark Hill is one of the 148 stations in Britain to receive funding to provide better access to stations through the government’s £370m Access for All programme. The programme will deliver a new footbridge and three new lifts, which include CCTV and telephone links, making it easier for everyone to use train services, especially those with reduced mobility, parents with young children or people with heavy luggage.

Dave Ward, Network Rail’s route director for Kent, said: “Passengers rely on Denmark Hill station for 3.1m journeys every year. An important part of building a bigger and better railway is to make it easier for everyone to use. The installation of lifts at Denmark Hill is great news for passengers and a big boost for the community and businesses, as well as those visiting nearby King’s College and Maudsley hospitals.”

Vince Lucas, service delivery director for Southeastern, said: “Improving access to Denmark Hill station is an important part of improving the service to all members of the local community. It’s also important given the proximity of the station to two significant hospitals.“

All the new images will be exhibited at Kings College and Maudsley hospitals from January 2011, together with an overview of the project.

The main construction work is scheduled to begin in early 2011 and planned to be completed in summer 2012. Train services should be largely unaffected for the duration of the construction work, however Network Rail will be working closely with Southeastern to keep any disruption for passengers and line-side neighbours to a minimum.