New lifts and walkways are being installed at Motspur Park station in south London as part of an £8.9m investment to make the station fully accessible.

Network Rail, working with South Western Railway and the council at the London Borough of Merton, is installing a step-free footbridge as part of the Government’s Access for All programme. Launched in 2006 and funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), the programme is designed to address the problems faced by disabled passengers and those with mobility restraints such as heavy luggage or pushchairs when using railway stations.

The programme provides funds to construct an accessible route that is free of obstacles from station entrances to the platforms. Among other provisions, this generally includes lifts or ramps, as well as associated works and refurbishment along the route.

At Motspur Park, the existing footbridge is being replaced by a new, covered structure that will make it easier for customers to get around the station by providing full access by lifts and stairs to the central platforms,

To help increase visibility and improve security in the station, new lighting and security cameras will also be installed on and around the lifts and bridge.

Construction of the new bridge will start this Friday, 31st March, with completion and open to passengers expected to be early next year.

Whilst the new footbridge is being constructed, customers will only be able to access the station from the west side of the station via Claremont Avenue.

Oma Megbele, Network Rail’s commercial scheme sponsor, said: “We’re really pleased to see this project get underway. It’s important that our stations are accessible so that all customers can navigate their way round them travel on the railway with ease and comfort.

“We’re working closely with our partners at South Western Railway, Merton Council and the local community to ensure we minimise disruption to customers and local residents throughout the work.”

Councillor Stephen Alambritis, Cabinet Member for Transport at Merton Council, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring improvements forward for Motspur Park station. Delivering step-free access here will hugely benefit the local community, allowing those with mobility impairments to travel further and more freely as well as bringing safety improvements for all travellers.”

Stephen Hammond MP, Member of Parliament for Wimbledon, said: “I have campaigned for many years to have step-free access at Motspur Park. I am delighted that the work on the new covered footbridge will now start after Easter and should be ready in 2024. I am also pleased that Network Rail and South Western Railways are working to minimise disruption to local residents throughout the works.”

David Wilby, SWR’s route development manager, said: “The new footbridge at Motspur Park will be important for all of our customers, especially those with reduced mobility who require lifts to gain access to the platforms.

“This is just one of the six multi-million-pound accessibility projects that will be completed at South Western Railway stations by 2024, which is thanks to both a significant investment by the Access for All team and, in this case, the hard work, funding and long periods of campaigning by our stakeholders.”