Revamped Earlsfield Station Unveiled By Transport Minister
Improved accessibility with new station entrance, access ramp and lifts
Transport Minister Norman Baker, together with local member of
Parliament Sadiq Khan, Wandsworth Council's cabinet member for
transport Russell King, and local London Assembly member Richard
Tracey, conducted the formal opening of the revamped Earlsfield
Station yesterday, part of the £390 million Access for All scheme,
funded by the Government to improve the accessibility at almost
150 stations nationwide.
Norman Baker said: "Earlsfield joins Clapham Junction and Vauxhall
on the lengthening list of stations where the industry has completed
work to open up the railway to be more accessible than ever before.
"With step free access from street to platform at all three stations,
and interchange available with National Rail and London Overground's
'Outer Circle' at Clapham Junction and with the Tube and buses
too at Vauxhall, large numbers of people will be able, many for the
very first time, to access public transport.
"That's good news for those with mobility issues but its good news
too for leisure travellers with bags or those with small children,
many of whom might otherwise choose to travel by road - that
means a potential reduction in congestion and sensible use of off
peak rail capacity too."
Tooting MP Sadiq Khan said: "The campaign for a complete
refurbishment of Earlsfield Station has been a long one and I am
delighted that the work to improve access and facilities at the
station is finally complete.
"The improvements brighten the station up and make it much more fit for the 21 st century. It will also be
accessible to commuters who may have reduced mobility or had difficulty using the station with push
chairs and buggies.
"It is good news that Earlsfield residents finally have the access and station facilities they need and
deserve."
Cllr Russell King said: "We were delighted when this Government announced in 2011 the funding of the improvements to
Earlsfield Station after so many years of campaigning by the council. The bright, modern facilities have
come as a real boost to Earlsfield town centre and the remodelled entrance has brought welcome relief
to rush hour overcrowding.
"The lifts are particularly important at Earlsfield as the long flights of stairs up to the platforms are a
major barrier to people with limited mobility or those with heavy bags or buggies. Now at last the whole
local community can make use of the local station."
Richard Tracey AM, GLA Member for Wandsworth and Merton, "This is a great improvement in accessibility at a key commuter station for the Capital. I hope it leads to
more and more people finding it possible to use the rail network not just for their journeys to work but at
other times too through step-free access elsewhere to other services.
"That's important to help reduce congestion on the system and to ensure the best possible use of
available capacity."
Earlsfield Station saw the completion of its two new station lifts in September 2012 with a new station
entrance also now open forming part of a £5.6 million scheme to improve the facilities and accessibility
of the station. Some work is still ongoing to upgrade other station facilities.
Wandsworth Council made a financial contribution to the station improvements using funding from an
adjoining development, and is undertaking environmental improvements to the street outside the station
entrance.
April 19, 2013