Green light for council investment boosts Wandsworth Town station access upgrade

Ranked as the 146th busiest station on Network Rail’s network of 2,580 stations, Wandsworth Town serves the growing town centre and riverside area and regularly faces complaints about overcrowding.

But thousands of passengers a day are now set to benefit from a new entrance opening to the north of the station, new ticket turnstiles and new lifts to all four platforms providing step-free access.

The Cabinet has now agreed on a £7.08m funding package to support these improvement works, delivering significant benefits and long-term value to our residents and visitors to the borough.

The council is using funds collected from property developers to invest in much-needed local infrastructure improvements, ensuring local residents benefit from development in their area without a penny added to their Council Tax.

Improving access

Jenny Yates, Wandsworth Council’s Cabinet member for Transport, said: “Improving access to Wandsworth Town station is hugely important for our residents and the future success of the town centre and we’ve listened to all the local feedback about how additional development will place greater strain on the station. We’re also working closely with transport partners on detailed plans that will improve this Victorian station and bring it up to modern standards for everyone that uses it.”

We’ve developed the £20m improvements package in partnership with Network Rail and the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme, which addresses the issues faced by disabled passengers and passengers facing mobility restraints.

Rail Minister, Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, said: "We want our railway to be truly accessible to everyone, and our Access for All programme is delivering real change across the country.

"It's brilliant to see Wandsworth Council's support for the Wandsworth Town upgrades, which will make a huge difference not only for disabled passengers, but everyone who uses the station, and I’m grateful to the Council for their financial contribution to a better station and a better borough."

'Transformational investment'

Speaking on behalf of South Western Railway and Network Rail, Lawrence Bowman Managing Director, South Western Railway said: “We are delighted that we will be able to start work on improving accessibility at Wandsworth Town.

“This transformational investment at Wandsworth Town station will make our railway more accessible for customers, particularly those with limited mobility or those with prams or luggage.

“The improvements, once completed, will open up new opportunities for residents and those visiting the area, and make it significantly easier for many people to choose the sustainable way to travel.

“We are committed to working with the Wandsworth community throughout this development and further information will be shared in due course.”

Local MP Fleur Anderson said: "I am delighted that today the Council has agreed additional funding for the step-free access works at Wandsworth Town Station. These works have been promised for far too long, but they will now go ahead thanks to the work of Wandsworth Council, Network Rail and local developers. I know from constituents just how important step-free access is so this investment is a much-needed step forward."

About Wandsworth town centre improvements

Alongside local improvements in the town centre, including resurfacing and paving works on Old York Road, the council and TfL have been listening to people’s views on Wandsworth Town centre and hearing about improvements they would like to see.

Growth Plan for Wandsworth

Wandsworth Town is an important part of the new Wandsworth Growth Corridor, which links the town centre with Clapham Junction and Nine Elms as areas of future growth for new homes, jobs and infrastructure improvements. Our Growth Plan is aligned with the Mayor of London’s London Growth Plan, recognising Wandsworth as a key strategic area for housing, infrastructure and economic development.