A major milestone has been reached in improving accessibility at Hither Green station for Southeastern passengers.
On Friday 2 October, the new footbridge linking all platforms opened to passengers as part of the Access for All programme.
The footbridge has been installed and tested, marking a major step towards improving accessibility and passenger movement. It will eventually connect the platforms with the new station entrances on Fernbrook Road and Springbank Road.
The programme also includes four new 16-person lifts, staircases and a link passageway between platforms 4 and 5.
Once complete, the new facilities will provide step-free access from street level to the footbridge and all platforms, improving access for disabled passengers and those travelling with luggage or pushchairs.
Engineers are ahead of schedule on the £28m Department for Transport-funded programme. Completion is now planned for spring 2027, when step-free access from street to platform will be available for the first time.
New CCTV, a public address system, customer information screens, a ticket vending machine and Oyster card readers will also be installed.
The adjacent nature reserve will also be restored, with replanting to support environmental recovery and biodiversity.
Network Rail is managing the programme, with principal contractor BAM Nuttall Ltd delivering the construction alongside architects Fereday Pollard & Partners and civil engineering designers Arcadis. McNealy Brown Ltd is fabricating and installing the main structure. The programme is expected to be fully complete by spring 2027.
Ke'arne Graham, Scheme Project Manager, said: “Opening the new footbridge is a major milestone for the Hither Green Access for All programme, bringing us closer to step-free access across the station. I thank passengers and the local community for their patience as work continues.”
