The Department for Transport has awarded £1 million towards step-free access with a lift to be installed at Wivelsfield station.
The investment has been welcomed by Network Rail, Mid Sussex District Council and Southern Railway.
The council had already pledged £ 1.1 million, and with the new Government funding, detailed planning can now begin.
Southern Railway will be working with the council and Network Rail to develop options for the scheme which could see a new lift from street level and ticket office level to the northbound platform. (Platform 1)
Are you looking forward to the lift being installed at Wivelsfield station? Does your local station still need step-free access? Let us know in the comments below.
What Did the Officials Say?
Angie Doll, Southern’s Managing Director, said:
“This is great news for disabled passengers, parents with buggies, older people and people with heavy luggage travelling towards London from Wivelsfield station.
“Southbound passengers already have step-free access, so this investment will make the station completely step-free between street and platforms. It will also tie in with the council’s plans to create a better transport interchange here. We are committed to working with Network Rail and local authorities to make travel on our network as easy as possible for everybody.”
Councillor Judy Llewellyn-Burke, Deputy Leader of Mid Sussex District Council, added:
“We are delighted with this award from the Department for Transport. The improvements to access at Wivelsfield station will complement our Place and Connectivity Programme as we increase and improve connectivity between transport hubs and Burgess Hill town centre.”
Network Rail’s route director for Sussex, Shaun King, said:
“Accessible stations make it easier for people to visit friends, get to the shops or to work. The upgrade to Wivelsfield station will provide an easier and more accessible station that can be utilised by all members of the public and we are delighted to facilitate this.”
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Responses
Burgess Hill is step free via the 2 access roads !
Only access to one platform? You’re stuffed when you wanna head home then lol
Sounds like a great idea. What about other Southern railway stations such as Balcombe, Burgess Hill and Preston Park to have lifts installed and to make those stations step-free accessible. And other stations are not step-free on the Southern network should have lifts or ramps installed.
Plus stations on Greater Anglia should also be step free such as at Wickford, Rayleigh, Hockley, Rochford and Prittlewell stations on the Southend Victoria line and even Ingatestone and Hatfield Peveral stations on the Great Eastern Main Line to be step free.
And some c2c stations including Benfleet, Chalkwell, Westcliff, Southend East and Thorpe Bay to have lifts or ramps installed to make those stations become step-free accessible stations. And Upminster Platform 6 (London Overground) should have a lift installed.