Network Rail has announced that four stations on its Sussex Route, served by Southern and Thameslink, are to benefit from new Access for All funding.
Southern stations at East Grinstead, Eridge and South Croydon and Thameslink's Tooting station will gain accessible improvements.
Additionally, Thameslink's Flitwick station, near Bedford, will also be made accessible.
The four stations were part of a £50m investment in Access for All schemes across the country.
What did the officials say?
Network Rail's Investment Director for Southern Region, Paul Harwood, said:
“This is great news for passengers and we are looking forward to working with Southern and Thameslink to deliver these schemes. We know there is a long way to go to create a fully accessible railway but travelling by train should be for everyone and we are committed to making it as easy as possible for all our passengers.
“We play an important role in local communities and look forward to working with local stakeholder groups as we develop plans for each scheme.”
Christian Link, Head of Accessibility for Southern and Thameslink, said:
“We want everyone to be able to use our rail network as independently as possible. We are delighted that this funding for step-free access has been granted. This will make rail travel easier for disabled people, people with heavy luggage and those with baby buggies. We will now work closely with Network Rail and our community stakeholders to help develop schemes for each of these stations.”
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Good news, the Up platform is a nightmare for a disabled friend of mine, more so since the peak Thameslink trains hog the accessible Down platform making several Southern departures start from no.1. That said, the reliability of platform lifts at Oxted and East Croydon is pretty abysmal.
Govia Thameslink Railway could also upgrade stations on the Brighton Main Line such as Balcombe, Hassocks, Burgess Hill, Preston Park and Earlswood and Salfords stations on the Redhill Line to become step-free accessible. And to have new footbridges+lifts or ramps installed. To make it lot easier for wheelchair users and parents with babies on push prams to access the platforms much easier.