Skip to content
The station entrance of Peckham Rye
Work starts in June to reduce congestion at busy Peckham Rye station, used by more than 7m passengers a year (download picture below)

Press release

Works start at Peckham Rye station to create more space for passengers

Network Rail has issued a version of the following press release about work to improve Southern's Peckham Rye station:

Passengers using one of south London's busiest stations - Peckham Rye - are set to benefit from a package of improvements being delivered by Network Rail and Southern Railway, designed to reduce congestion, improve passenger flow and cater for future growth.

A ‘hidden’ corner of the station’s booking hall that previously held cash machines will be revealed for the first time in 30 years when work starts next month.

The main ticket machine will be moved into this corner, creating more space for passengers and paving the way for further improvements over the next 12 months including additional station entrance doors and more ticket gates.

Foundations will be laid for a future replica of the station canopy that was removed in 1961. This work is being completed ahead of Southwark’s Council separate project to lay the surface of their new public square at the front of the station.

Passengers will also benefit this summer from additional train information screens. These will be located further along platforms 1 and 2 to encourage people to use the full length of these platforms and the trains when they board. This should reduce crowding, making journeys easier for everyone.

Next year, Network Rail will create more space on some narrow sections on platform 3 and 4 and refurbish the platform canopies, improving the environment for waiting passengers.

Andy Piper, Govia Thameslink Railway’s Railway Head of Gatwick and London Stations, said: “I’m looking forward to seeing these improvements at Peckham Rye take shape. We’ve heard from our customers just how much of a difference these changes will make, bringing huge benefits through making the station easier to travel through and with less congestion.”

Andrew Wood, Network Rail’s Senior Commercial Scheme Sponsor said: “These improvements at Peckham Rye will make a real difference for passengers, creating more space, easing congestion and making it quicker and easier to move through the station.

“This is an important first step in preparing the station for future growth while also enhancing the environment for the thousands of people who use it every day. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this work.”

Once the cash machine section is removed, available wall space in the booking hall will be used to install information boards, keeping passengers informed about the project while improving the appearance of the station. All work will be completed by summer 2027.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Peckham Rye is served by four different train operators - Southern, Thameslink, London Overground and Southeastern. More than 6m people pass through the booking hall every year and over a million more change trains at the station (ORR station usage figures 2024-2025).

The improvements align with wider plans to transform the area, including Southwark Council’s creation of Peckham Rye Station Square. This will create a more welcoming gateway to Peckham, strengthen connections with the town centre and support local businesses and communities.

The work also future proofs the station by enacting planning permission for a future major upgrade. If funded, this will include new lift and stair access to all platforms, concourses and a new western station entrance.

Topics

Categories

Regions


For more information, contact the press office on 0203 750 2031.

GTR

GTR operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:

  • Thameslink – cross-London services between Bedford/Peterborough/Cambridge and Brighton/Horsham/East Grinstead, and between Luton/St Albans and Sutton/Wimbledon/Rainham; plus services between London and Sevenoaks
  • Great Northern – services between London and Welwyn, Hertford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn
  • Southern – services between London and the Sussex coast (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Hastings) and parts of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire (Ashford International, Southampton, Portsmouth)
  • Gatwick Express – fast, non-stop direct services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria

www.southernrailway.com, www.thameslinkrailway.com, www.gatwickexpress.com, www.greatnorthernrail.com

Contacts

  • The station entrance of Peckham Rye
    Peckham Rye station.jpg
    License:
    Media Use
    File format:
    .jpg
    Copyright:
    Govia Thameslink Railway
    Size:
    2126 x 1414, 1.89 MB
    Download