01.11.19
Edenbridge station refurbishment completed as part of £1.25bn Kent upgrade
A £500,000 upgrade at Edenbridge station in Kent has been completed by Network Rail.
Edenbridge station, one of two stations serving this area in Kent, carries well over 2,000 trains and 300,000 passengers every weekday and is among the busiest and most congested in the country.
The platform refurbishment includes a new surface and reduced steps for passengers, providing an overall safety increase.
Due to the fact that platforms are open to a number of environmental factors and regular footfall, surfaces can become slippery or hazardous.
In addition to the makeover, this time has been used to carry out track maintenance, smoothing and correctly aligning the railway track.
This provides a more comfortable journey for passenger and freight trains and prevents the risk of derailing.
Ian Hanson, Stations Director for Network Rail, said:
“At Network Rail, keeping people safe on and around the railway is at the heart of everything we do.”
“We’re continually working on a programme of upgrades that will make stations safer and this is a great example of how we are investing to meet the needs of local communities.”
The project has been completed sooner than planned and there has been no major disruption to passengers and local residents.
Patrick Clements, head of Safety & Environment (Infrastructure & Facilities) at Govia Thameslink Railway said:
“We very much welcome this investment in passenger safety. It reduces the risk of tripping when boarding or alighting, and also helps passengers who have mobility difficulties.”
“We identified Edenbridge as one of several priority stations for this type of improvement and it is an excellent example of successful joint working between our safety team and Network Rail’s Southern Region.”
The station makeover forms part of the Kent Railway Upgrade Plan, with projects including replacing 429km of track, costing over £201m, spending £162m on new signalling equipment and investing £21.4m in improving safety at level crossings.
The entire project will cost a record £1.25 bn over the next five years.