Proposals For Step-Free Access At Battersea Park Station

Battersea Park Station in south London could be set for a major multi-million pound upgrade. London News Online reports that the works will include plans to provide step-free access to the platforms, and the steep narrow stairwells could be replaced with lifts. This will enable disabled and people with restricted mobility to use the station.

The station is expected to see a substantial increase in passenger numbers in the future, as it is likely that more overground trains will call at the station. Currently, overground trains only call in the early morning and evening, but with new developments taking place in Wandsworth, demand is expected to increase.

A Wandsworth council spokesperson said: “The council has been working with Network Rail on the development of a significant improvement scheme for Battersea Park Station, which would deliver a new, reconfigured station with step-free access.”

“The station currently has steep and unsuitable stairwell access to the platforms and needs improvement works if it is to provide acceptable access to rail transport services for an increased number of residents and visitors.”

An upgrade plan would see step-free access provided to four of the station’s five platforms. There is still some debate about the final scope of the scheme due to budget constraints. The original plans were projected to cost about £35.6 million, with funding jointly provided by Wandsworth Council and the Department for Transport Access for All Programme.

However, sufficient funds could not be allocated, and now Network Rail are working on revised plans with an estimated cost of £20 million, which are due to be put to Wandsworth Council’s Transport Committee shortly.

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