Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, is delighted that her successful campaigning to secure accessibility improvements at both Crowborough and Eridge train stations has started to have an impact.
As part of an additional £50 million of Access For All Funding, announced in the Chancellor’s Budget in March, Eridge station will be refurbished and gain accessibility improvements. The existing staircases and bridge at Eridge station will be removed and replaced with a new, modern footbridge.
The project will take place until the end of September.
A customer diversion route at the station will be created to ensure that there is a safe walking route for passengers. From Monday 29th June, there will be transfers in place to take passengers safely from the front of the station to the car park.
The work does involve some line closures, which are currently scheduled as below:
Date, Time, Work to be carried out:
27 June – 29 June 2020, 00:50 to 04:15: 24-hour a day working between these times and dates; Removal and demolition of existing staircases and footbridge
4 July – 6 July 2020, 00:50 to 04:15: 24-hour a day working between these times and dates; Platform piling
12 July – 13 July 2020, 01:05 – 04:00: 24-hour a day working between these times and dates; Platform piling
2 August 2020, 00:20 – 08:25: Platform piling
As part of the Government’s funding to improve accessibility across the rail network for disabled people through the Access For All project, Crowborough train station has also been selected for an upgrade to include step-free access.
Nus Ghani said: “Having secured multi-million pound funding for this vital improvement at both Eridge and Crowborough, I am pleased that work will begin in Eridge this month. The refurbishment will greatly improve the overall passenger experience for many Wealden residents using the line to commute to London, or those visiting the Spa Valley Railway.”
“As part of a series of moves toward a fully inclusive transport network, the refurbishment of Eridge station will make it easier for disabled people in Wealden to use the rail network and get better access to vital services.”
“The Government has embarked on an unprecedented investment programme to upgrade our transport network, ensuring it is both fit for the future and accessible for everyone, and I am delighted that these two stations in Wealden will benefit from this project.”