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Friday 13 Nov 2020

Snodland station upgrade continues with £0.5m footbridge refurbishment in Kent and a mural inspired by a local school

Region & Route:

Southern: Kent

| Southern

Network Rail is upgrading Snodland station by refurbishing the footbridge while tactile paving will also be installed along both platforms to improve use for passengers with visual impairment.

Snodland station is on the Medway Valley Line in Kent, serving the village of Snodland. It is 36 miles down the line from London Charing Cross via Strood and is situated between Halling and New Hythe.

The station consists of two platforms, linked by a lattice girder footbridge which also acts as a public footpath, by-passing the adjacent level crossing.

These works will provide an upgraded station for passengers, improving their travel experience with new surfacing, tactile strips on platforms, handrails and staircase coverings.

Fiona Taylor, Kent route director for Network Rail, said:

“It’s great to be able to provide passengers and our neighbours at Snodland with a brighter bridge and better platforms, and our new mural also really lifts the station. Work is progressing well and the new bridge will continue to serve the people of the area for decades to come.”

Snodland station, its two platforms and the trains that pass through on the Medway Valley Line are managed by Southeastern. There are two departures per hour to Maidstone West and Paddock Wood, with some trains continuing to Tonbridge at peak times, while in the other direction trains continue as far as Strood.

High speed services stop at Snodland between Maidstone West and London St Pancras in both directions at peak times.

Caroline Wallis, Station Manager for Southeastern at Snodland, said:

“We’re always wanting to do more for our passengers here at Snodland, and this upgrade to the footbridge by Network Rail will enhance the station for everyone who uses it, with the new tactile paving making journeys easier for people with a visual impairment.” 

A mural has also been created by renowned street artist Lionel Stanhope and supported by the Kent Community Rail Partnership. The mural depicts white trees which link to a local school - Five Acre Wood.

Therese Hammond, Project Officer at Kent Community Rail Partnership said:

“Kent Community Rail Partnership are delighted to see the continued improvements being made at Snodland station. The repainting of the footbridge and the addition of the mural brightens up the platform.

“The mural also represents the hard work of Five Acre Wood and Grow19, who have contributed to enhancing the front of the station with planters and displaying artwork in the ticket office. The students enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in the Kent Community Rail project and in doing so, have developed their life skills.

"Kent Community Rail Partnership work closely with a range of community groups and partner organisations along the Medway Valley line, Swale Rail line and the new Kent Downs line. We would like to thank Community Rail Network, Kent County Council, Southeastern, Network Rail, Snodland Partnership and BJA Consulting for their funding and support in helping to enhance Snodland station and deliver a better passenger experience.”

Work at Snodland station is expected to finish by the end of December 2020.