The work is being jointly funded by Network Rail, Wandsworth Council, Department for Transport, South West Trains and Transport for London and will provide an alternative way into the station for those coming from St John’s Hill.
The ramped entrance will provide a step-free route into the station and include a passenger collection/dropping off point, 72 cycle racks, a refurbished ticket hall and new retail units.
The scheme’s backers say it will will ease congestion in the existing entrances and subway connecting the platforms and transform the travelling experiences of those with mobility impairments.
Network Rail’s Richard O’Brien said the refurbished entrance would “make the station easier for everyone to use, particularly those with reduced mobility, heavy luggage or young children, and help reduce congestion as anyone coming from St John’s Hill can use the over bridge rather than the subway.”
Councillor Ravi Govindia, transport spokesman for Wandsworth Council’s which is contributing £300,000 to the scheme, said it would it would “make it much easier for disabled people to pass through the station and could ease overcrowding in the subway tunnel by as much as 25 per cent.”
Cllr Govindia predicted this would be “very welcome news to the thousands of passengers who cram through it everyday on their way to and from work.”
Bringing the entrance back into use will complete £10.5m of work to the station under the Government’s Access For All scheme which has also seen the installation of nine lifts to make it easier to reach platforms.
The Department for Transport is contributing £700,000 through Access For All to the entrance scheme. Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “As train travel continues to grow in popularity, it’s vital everyone can access the railways.”
The scheme is expected to be completed by Summer 2011.
Funding for the scheme is being provided by the following stakeholders:
Department for Transport – £700k
South West Trains £600k
Wandsworth Council – £300k
Transport for London £300k
