A Step Free Wandsworth Town Station Moves Closer
Complex piling work completed ahead of full accessibility next year
Wandsworth Town station
November 9, 2026
A significant step has been completed in the project to provide full step-free access at Wandsworth Town station, bringing the long-awaited accessibility improvements a step closer to completion.
Engineers have finished the complex piling work needed to support the station's new lift shafts, marking one of the most challenging stages of the £19.8 million scheme. The milestone also means trains have resumed calling at the station's island platforms following five months of service alterations.
The work forms part of a major upgrade that will eventually see lifts installed to serve all platforms, alongside the creation of a new station entrance on Odyssey Way. Step-free access is expected to be available by summer 2027.
The piling operation, which created the foundations for the new lift shafts serving platforms 2 and 3, had originally been expected to require the closure of the island platforms for up to 12 weeks. Such a closure would have prevented outbound services from using the platforms, causing considerable disruption for passengers.
However, collaboration between South Western Railway and infrastructure teams enabled trains to be re-platformed during key phases of the work, allowing services to continue operating safely while construction took place.
According to South Western Railway, the approach helped minimise disruption for passengers and avoided an estimated £1.2 million in lost revenue.
The site of the Odyssey Way entrance planned for the station. Picture: Wandsworth Council
The project is funded through the Department for Transport's Access for All programme, with additional investment from Wandsworth Council. As well as improving accessibility, the new entrance on Odyssey Way is intended to support local growth and increasing transport demand in the area.
The design of the new station. Picture: Network Rail
Attention will now turn to the next phase of the project, with construction of the lift shafts due to begin in December, followed by work on the new station entrance.
Oliver Rogers, South Western Railway's Strategy and Business Development Director, welcomed the completion of the piling work.
"It's brilliant that we've successfully completed one of the most difficult parts of this project, whilst managing to keep trains running for our passengers," he said.
"Improving the railway for passengers and communities is what integration under public ownership, and ultimately Great British Railways, is all about.
"We're looking forward to delivering an accessible Wandsworth Town station for all customers in summer 2027, and we thank them for their patience while we complete these improvements."
Wandsworth Council also welcomed the progress. Councillor Nick Austin, the council's Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "It's great to see real progress being made at our rail stations, helping people get around more quickly and easily.
"These improvements are part of wider investment in local infrastructure, providing better transport options for our growing town centres."
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