Major railway station lift redevelopment to begin

Christian Fuller
BBC News, South East
Getty Images An aerial shot of Sevenoaks Station. There is a train at a platform and people waiting on another. Getty Images
The station is to remain open during the works, but step-free access will be limited

A major redevelopment of the lifts at one of Kent's busiest railway stations is set to begin.

Work to replace the lifts at Sevenoaks Station is to begin on Tuesday, as the current lifts have become "increasingly unreliable", Southeastern said.

The railway firm said the work formed part of a wider programme of investment aimed at delivering better journeys by improving accessibility and modernising station facilities across its network.

The full programme of work is expected to be completed by March 2026.

With more than 3.1 million journeys made through Sevenoaks each year, the station is one of the busiest in Kent.

During the works, the station is to remain open, but step-free access will be limited and passengers are advised to plan ahead.

Southeastern said the work would enhance the travel experience for all passengers, particularly those with reduced mobility.

Getty Images A sign that reads 'Welcome to Sevenoaks', with a car park in the background.Getty Images
More than 3.1 million journeys are made through Sevenoaks Station each year, according to Southeastern

David Davidson, Southeastern chief operating officer, said: "We understand this work may cause inconvenience, and we're very sorry for the impact it will have on some customers' journeys.

"However, the current lifts at Sevenoaks station need to be replaced so that we can continue to ensure that customers are able to access the station without needing to use the stairs."

The lift renewal will be delivered in two phases.

The first begins on Tuesday and will end in early October, while the second will run from late contact to March next year.

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