Rail users in south west London will soon benefit from step-free access at Barnes station and Teddington station as Network Rail commences work to improve accessibility for customers with reduced mobility, people with pushchairs and those using bicycles.
Network Rail has recently started work at Barnes station to install a new, open footbridge at the eastern end of the existing platform.
The £5.7 million programme of work is due for completion in early 2024 and is funded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ‘Access for All’ scheme and aims to improve accessibility across the station.
Work will also involve installing a new lift and staircase which will serve each of the outside platforms as well as the central island meaning the station will have a fully accessible route to and from each platform.
Other improvements include refreshing the lighting and adding CCTV in the station which will make customers feel safer and more comfortable when travelling, particularly at night.
Alongside this, work at Teddington station will commence this July where a new lift will be installed either side of the existing bridge structure, providing full step-free access to both platforms.
This £4.2 million programme of work, which is also funded by the DfT’s ‘Access for All’ scheme, will also see new lighting and CCTV installed in and around the lifts.
Oma Megbele, Network Rail’s commercial scheme sponsor, said: “It’s really great to see the investment being made to make stations fully accessible in south west London. We welcome the continued investment from the DfT and continue to work closely with local councils to provide the best experience for rail users.
“We want all customers to have the most comfortable journey when travelling through stations and we look forward to being able to provide step-free access at Barnes and Teddington stations making it easier for all customers to enjoy and access the railway.”
Councillor Alexander Ehmann, chair of Richmond Council’s Transport and Air Quality Committee, said: “These works should make it much easier for people with mobility difficulties, buggies and luggage to access and move around the stations. Several of our stations do not provide step-free access and these improvements are long overdue – we look forward to the works being completed as quickly as possible.”
Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park, said: “It’s brilliant that after years of lobbying, Barnes station will finally become step-free. With the river on three sides and the bridge closed it’s more important than ever that everyone in the community is able to use this vital link to the rest of London.
“Barnes station is a great start but there’s still a lot of work to be done. This must be the first of many investments the DfT make in our local stations, and I look forward to working with Network Rail to secure more public transport that works for everyone in Richmond Park.”
Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham, said: “Making our train stations accessible for all is so important for the people in our community, and especially for the elderly, the disabled and families with young children. The installation of lifts at Teddington station is great news for all residents.”
David Wilby, South Western Railway’s regional development manager, said: “Constructing and attaching new lifts to the existing footbridge at Teddington and the new footbridge and lifts at Barnes are important for all of our customers, including those with reduced mobility and for customers who require lifts to gain access to the platforms.
“These are just two of the six multi-million-pound accessibility projects that will be completed at South Western Railway stations by 2024, which are thanks to both a significant investment by the Access for All team and, in this case, the hard work, and long periods of campaigning by our stakeholders.”
Photo credit: Network Rail
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