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Thursday 30 Jul 2009

STREATHAM COMMON STATION ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY

Region & Route:

| Southern

Passengers will soon benefit from a major investment to improve accessibility at Streatham Common station. The enhancements will include creating step-free access between the station entrance and all four platforms, and the installation of tactile paving.

Construction work begins this month on two new lifts to provide the step-free access links between the existing station footbridge and platforms 1, 2 and 3. On platform 4, the existing ramp will be replaced with a new Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant ramp.

In addition to the lifts, which will include CCTV and telephone links, the footbridge stairs will be resurfaced and tactile paving installed on the platforms. Work is scheduled for completion in spring 2010.

Fiona Taylor, Network Rail’s route director for Sussex, said: “These new facilities will make station and platform access much easier for all passengers, including people with disabilities, those carrying heavy luggage and parents with small children. The railway provides important public transport links across London and the south east, so it is important to provide facilities which make rail use easier, safer and more accessible for everyone.”

“We’re pleased that this important funding has made it possible for us to carry out these station improvements and we look forward to completing this work with the minimum of disruption to passengers.”

Bob Mayne, finance director, Southern, commented: “This is good news for the tens of thousands of passengers who use Streatham Common station each year. With new lifts due to become operational at neighbouring Streatham Hill station later this summer, it further demonstrates how we are working with industry partners to improve access and increase the convenience of travelling by train. I hope more people will be encouraged to choose rail travel as their preferred mode of transport.”

Network Rail is managing and delivering the improvements, which are being funded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) £370m Access for All fund.