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Friday 16 Aug 2019

New lifts officially opened at Carshalton station with Tom Brake MP and local campaigners

Region & Route:

Southern

Passengers in Carshalton can now benefit from step-free access for the first time following the completion of an Access for All scheme at their station.

The £2.5m project has seen two new lifts installed to provide obstacle free, accessible routes to each platform.

Carshalton station, which serves more than a million passengers a year, was selected for this vital enhancement to allow passengers with mobility issues to use the station, rather than having to travel to the nearest step-free station in Sutton, around two miles away.

Hodan Hassan, project sponsor for Network Rail, said: “We’re delighted to officially unveil the new lifts at Carshalton. It’s always a joy to be able to make train travel easier for everyone, particularly those with mobility issues, the elderly, and parents with young children. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we completed this much needed upgrade.”

Southern and Gatwick Express Managing Director Angie Doll added: “Carshalton station has benefited from significant investment and I am delighted to see the new lifts up and running. We’re committed to making our services accessible to everyone.”

The project has worked closely with Southern, which manage the station, to deliver a range of other station improvements for passengers. These include an upgrade to the station toilets and cleaning and repainting the subway, stairs and ticket hall areas.

Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake said: “After years of campaigning by the community, it’s fantastic to finally see Carshalton station become fully accessible with the installation of the new lifts. Our stations deserve to be used by all local residents, including those who are older or have mobility issues, pushchairs or heavy luggage. I’m very pleased to see the completion of this important project.”

The new lifts have been delivered as part of the Department for Transport funded Access for All programme, which aims to improve step-free access across Britain’s rail network.

Other ongoing schemes on the Sussex route include those at Coulsdon South and Selhurst, while Streatham, Catford and Crowborough will also have improved access delivered within the next five years.