Engineers have completed foundation work for new lifts serving platforms 2 and 3 at Wandsworth Town station, bringing the station a step closer to becoming fully accessible.
The milestone is one of the most difficult parts of the project, according to South Western Railway, and it was delivered while keeping trains running for passengers.
The work was originally expected to require the closure of the island platforms for up to 12 weeks, which would have meant trains travelling out of London were unable to stop there. Instead, railway teams rearranged services during key stages of the project, reducing the need for platform closures and allowing the station to remain operational.
The approach also avoided an estimated £1.2 million in lost revenue, the operator said.
South Western Railway’s Strategy and Business Development Director Oliver Rogers said: “It’s brilliant that we’ve successfully completed one of the most difficult parts of this project, whilst managing to keep trains running for our passengers.”
He added: “Improving the railway for passengers and communities is what integration under public ownership, and ultimately Great British Railways, is all about. We’re looking forward to delivering an accessible Wandsworth Town station for all customers in Summer 2027, and we thank them for their patience while we complete these improvements.”
The £19.8 million project is funded through the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme, alongside investment from Wandsworth Council. Once complete, the scheme will provide new lifts serving all platforms and a second station entrance on Odyssey Way, improving accessibility for passengers.
Work is now expected to move towards preparing for construction of the new lift shafts in December, followed by the next major phase involving the second station entrance.
Councillor Nick Austin, Wandsworth Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “It’s great to see real progress being made at our rail stations, helping people get around more quickly and easily.”
The Access for All programme funds step-free routes at stations across the country, typically through lifts and accessible footbridges, with schemes prioritised where they help the most passengers with reduced mobility. Step-free access remains a live issue across London: Liverpool Street’s only mainline lift is set to shut for three months, while Wandsworth has said TfL’s town-centre plan does not go far enough.
