Making Chessington South station more accessible

• Major Accessibility improvements at Chessington South station
• Partnership working between South Western Railway, the Royal Borough of Kingston, ward councillors, Chessington World of Adventures and Chessington School
• The scheme is largely funded by the Department for Transport under their National Station Improvement Programme (NSIP)
• Contributions also made by SWR, Royal Borough of Kingston and Chessington World of Adventures

• Step-free pedestrian path from platform 1 to the station forecourt and new way finding signs.

• New compliant accessible car parking bay.

• New anti-slip treads on steps and new hand rails.

• New lighting for the path and additional CCTV cameras.

Alan Penlington, Customer Experience Director for South Western Railway, said:
“We are working in partnership with the Department for Transport, Kingston Council, Chessington World of Adventures and Chessington College, to invest more than £300,000 to make the station accessible.  As part of our wider programme to enhance the station’s facilities we are also improving the cycle facilities, making access to the bus stops easier and planting a community garden.”

Sir Edward Davey MP for Kingston and Surbiton, said:
“We are delighted to see that work is progressing to make Chessington South station accessible. Initially the deadline had been the end of March but that passed and it now looks as though they will meet their new anticipated date of completion in the middle of May.

“There will be a huge sigh of relief from those with limited mobility when these works are completed as it will save a great deal of energy being expended to get to Surbiton, to start a train journey. Wheelchair users look forward to a time when the train will be fully accessible.

“A more accessible station will benefit young and old alike. Young families will benefit from no longer having to struggle up stairs with unwieldy pushchairs; visually impaired will benefit from either the newly refurbished stairs or from the level access; wheelchair users will be able to say goodbye to the lengthening of their round trip journey by at least an hour and having to travel via Surbiton.”

The project will be completed this spring and bring a range of benefits for customers using the station, particularly those with accessibility issues, such as wheelchair users. It will also enhance safety and security as well encourage cycling to/from the station.

Disruption during the project will be kept to a minimum and customers will be able to use the station while the work is taking place.