£5.4m Tooting station accessibility scheme completed

Platform lifts are now open at Tooting station in south west London, giving wheelchair users and other passengers of restricted mobility, access for the first time.

The £5.4m investment to construct two new lifts at Tooting station began in spring 2023 and was completed by Network Rail in January. Following final testing, the lifts are now fully open.

The lifts provide step-free access from the main entrance of the station and down to platform level.

In addition, the project team installed new CCTV cameras to enhance the security of the station, as well as widening footways.

Thameslink, which operates the station, has also invested £57,000 to put in a wide ticket gate for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs or luggage, and will have soon finished refurbishing the front entrance and entire ticket hall, which includes a new ceiling and improved lighting.

Network Rail’s contractors additionally enhanced a small patch of land close to the station with new planting for local residents to enjoy.

The station has remained open throughout the work, minimising the impact on passengers.

Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex Route Director for Network Rail, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to open our latest Access for All scheme at Tooting which will provide step-free access to those in wheelchairs, or with pushchairs or heavy luggage to be able to reach their trains.

“We want our railway to be as inclusive as possible and Access for All is opening up travel by rail to more and more people, with Tooting just the latest station to be completed and more to come across our network over the next few years.”

Govia Thameslink Railway's Customer Services Director Jenny Saunders said: “Everyone at GTR is committed to building a more accessible and inclusive railway, and we’re delighted our passengers at Tooting now have a step-free route to the platforms.

“Lifts benefit everyone who finds stairs a barrier, and for some disabled passengers this project has the potential to be life changing.

"Coupled with the additional refurbishment of the front entrance and ticket hall, we think this investment will make a huge difference for many local people.”

ENDS

The Access for All programme is a Government-funded scheme that is managed by Network Rail. It was launched in 2006 to address the issues faced by disabled passengers and passengers facing mobility restraints (such as heavy luggage or pushchairs) when using railway stations in Great Britain.

The funding is used to create an obstacle-free, accessible route from the station entrance to the platform. This generally includes providing lifts or ramps, as well as associated works and refurbishment along the route. Access for All: funding to improve accessibility at rail stations - GOV.UK