Hither Green railway station to get long-awaited lift to platforms

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

A railway station will get a facelift, including a new lift to replace a ramp that’s so steep people in wheelchairs can’t use it.

Plans to build new footbridges, lifts and entrances at Hither Green railway station were approved by a Lewisham council planning committee on Tuesday.

Passengers using the station currently rely on stairs to reach its six platforms. While part of the station is accessible by a ramp, it is too steep for wheelchairs.

The refurbishment will be funded with a share of a £300million pot the Department for Transport has set aside to make railway stations more accessible.

The works, which will be carried out by Network Rail, will see four new 16-person lifts built at the station, which will allow passengers to reach every platform without using steps.

New entrances to the station, which welcomes 3.3 million passengers per year, will be created in Fernbrook Road and Springbank Road.

Speaking in favour of the plans, Jenny Marsden, a resident who has lived in the area for five years, told the council planning meeting that the lack of lifts at the station made it dangerous.

She said: “Currently four out of six platforms at the station are only accessible by steps, making it really difficult for people with mobility issues, but it’s also a massive safety issue for everyone else using the station. While part of the station is accessible by a ramp, this is non-compliant, it’s too steep for users.”

Lewisham council previously approved plans for the station works in April 2022, without the project going before councillors to vote on.

But officials were forced to backtrack after some local residents challenged the decision, arguing the proposals should have gone before a planning committee.

An Lewisham council planning committee passed the plans unanimously.

Pictured top: Hither Green railway station will get new lifts and footbridges (Picture: Google Street View)