Inclusion London calls for funding for lifts at Peckham Rye station
Plans to upgrade the station to make it accessible to disabled passengers were shelved under the government's June spending review. Peckham Rye is the busiest station in the UK without step-free access.
Inclusion London promotes Deaf and Disabled people's equality and inclusion across London, supporting over 70 Deaf and Disabled organisations.
It is urging the government to reconsider plans to upgrade Peckham Rye train station which will make it fully accessible with lifts to the platforms.
The charity said it was “extremely disappointed” that plans to improve accessibility at Peckham Rye station had been shelved by the Department for Transport (DfT).
The station is the busiest interchange in the country without step-free access, and saw almost six million passengers passing through last year.
The upgrade would transform step-free access to platforms, making the platforms accessible to disabled passengers, the elderly and people with buggies.
But the plans to install lifts, accessible toilets, wider platforms, new staircases and larger gate lines and entrances at the station were halted after the DfT announced it was “pausing” the scheme under the June spending review.
The DfT said it was prioritising funding other projects “that will make the greatest difference for passengers and economic growth as soon as possible”.
A spokesperson for Inclusion London said: “Disabled people need equal access to public transport in order to work, study, participate in our communities and live fulfilling lives.
"Making the busiest interchange in the country step-free would free disabled Londoners who use this station from the stress and misery of an inaccessible commute. We urge DfT to reconsider its decision.”
Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development at Southwark Council said the authority was also “very disappointed” the plans had been paused.
Dennis said: “Improving accessibility and reducing overcrowding is vital for passengers and Southwark’s residents. Our £27m station square transformation, which will create a vibrant civic space and deliver major public realm improvements, is still going ahead.
“Transforming the square and the new station together is vital to improving the area for local people, including unlocking more jobs, opportunities and much-needed new genuinely affordable homes.”
Dennis said the council has contributed £1m to support the station upgrade and remains “fully committed” to working with all partners to find a way forward.
A DfT spokesperson said: “The scheme will be kept under review as part of our pipeline of schemes for potential progression in future as funding becomes available.”
