Leatherhead Station Completes £6.2 Million Accessibility Upgrade

Leatherhead Station has completed a £6.2 million upgrade project, significantly improving accessibility for passengers with mobility challenges, luggage, or bicycles through the addition of new lifts and a modern footbridge. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The upgrades make platform transfers simpler and faster by eliminating the previously steep and inconvenient routes beneath the railway bridge. The newly installed lifts each hold up to 16 people, providing smooth, step-free movement between platforms.

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Network Rail led the improvements, which also included enhanced lighting, additional CCTV cameras, and adjustments to existing ramps. Platform 2 was widened to accommodate the new lift and increase overall safety and comfort.

Enhanced Mobility Features at Leatherhead Station

Construction began in January 2024 and finished without closing the station or disrupting passenger access. The original subway, which includes steps, remains open and offers an alternate path through the station.

According to Network Rail’s Sussex Route Director, Lucy McAuliffe, Leatherhead Station now provides essential accessibility upgrades as part of the Access for All program. Similar improvements are in progress at Hither Green and recently completed at Herne Bay.

McAuliffe emphasized the goal of making travel more inclusive and accessible. She noted the new infrastructure removes long-standing barriers and creates life-changing benefits for many rail users.

Southern Upgrades Bike Access and Security at Leatherhead Station

While Network Rail focused on mobility improvements, Southern enhanced the cycling infrastructure. Platform 1 now features a secure bike hub for 26 bicycles, including a maintenance station and pump, protected by key fob entry.

On platform 2, Southern installed a double-decker bike rack for 32 more bikes and a dedicated space for six motorbikes. The company also upgraded CCTV and lighting to increase security and safety throughout the station.

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director at Govia Thameslink Railway, highlighted the positive passenger feedback and noted that these enhancements serve a wide range of users, from parents with strollers to cyclists and people with disabilities.

Leatherhead Station now joins other modernized rail hubs across the UK, offering easier, safer, and more inclusive travel options for the community.

Source: www.getsurrey.co.uk

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