Network Rail has announced that it is working to improve accessibility at Barnes and Teddington stations in south-west London.
Once the work is completed, passengers using the two stations will be able to access platforms without using steps, which will improve accessibility for passengers with mobility impairments, heavy or bulky luggage, bicycles and pushchairs.
Barnes
Network Rail has already begun its work to install a new, open footbridge at the eastern end of the platform, and expects to complete it early next year.
It will also install a new lift and staircase which will serve the outside platforms as well as the central island platforms, so that the station will have a fully accessible route to and from each platform.
Other improvements include refreshing the lighting and adding CCTV to make passengers feel safer and more comfortable when travelling, particularly at night.
Teddington
Network Rail will start work at Teddington station this July.
It will install a new lift on each side of the bridge, providing full step-free access to both platforms, and add new lighting and CCTV in and around the lifts.
The Department for Transport's ‘Access for All' scheme has provided £5.7m for the improvements at Barnes and £4.2m for the work at Teddington.
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.”
So disappointed that there’s going to be a long walk for the elderly to get to the access – really what is the point? Elderly or infirm/ differently abled in Barnes have no access to tubes due to Hammersmith bridge being closed to any reasonable access / please can this be reconsidered as the population of elderly is growing – there’s always a possibility to rethink whatever stage you are at with the building works
Good news that Barnes station will be made step-free but less good news is the positioning of the new footbridge, away from the entrance to the station and the ticket office. I understand that the proximity of the Rocks Lane road bridge severely complicates matters, but was there really no way to add the lifts to the existing footbridge?