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Tuesday 31 Oct 2023

Stepping in the right direction: Plans announced to create step-free access at Herne Bay to make the station fully accessible for all passengers

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Kent

Rail users on the north coast of Kent will soon benefit from step-free access at Herne Bay station as Network Rail announces accessibility upgrades starting next month.

The £6m programme of work will begin on 20 November and is expected to be finished in winter 2024. Once complete, the station will be fully accessible making it much easier for passengers with limited mobility, visual impairments as well as those travelling with pushchairs and bicycles to make their way around the station.

The work will involve installing two, 16-person capacity lifts and a new footbridge with staircases which will span between the platforms at the station.

Other improvements include refreshing the lighting and adding CCTV in the station which will make passengers feel safer and more comfortable when travelling, particularly at night.

These improvements are funded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ‘Access for All’ scheme, which is used to create an obstacle free, accessible route from the station entrance to the platforms. This generally includes providing lifts or ramps, as well as associated works and refurbishment along the route.

Hodan Hassan, Network Rail’s commercial scheme sponsor, said: “It’s really great to see the investment being made to make stations fully accessible in the Kent region and we welcome the continued investment from the DfT and continue to work closely with local councils to provide the best experience for all rail users.

“We’d like to reassure passengers and local residents that most of the work will take place over weekdays during daytime hours and will not affect the train services during the week.”

Jo Pettman, Southeastern’s station manager for Herne Bay, commented: “We’re always wanting to do more for our customers, as part of our drive towards a better, more reliable and more sustainable railway.

“We’ll see the accessibility of Herne Bay station transformed by Network Rail over the next year, with the new lifts and footbridge set to make a huge difference to everyone who uses the station, whether that’s people using pushchairs or wheelchairs, bikes and those with heavy luggage. Our customers will also welcome the planned security improvements that will ensure Herne Bay station remains a safe place to travel to and from.”