Rail Minister Wendy Morton and Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani paid a visit to Eridge station following the completion of accessibility improvements at the station.
The £1.9m project at Eridge included the installation of a new lift and ramp delivered by Network Rail and BAM Nuttall.
The improvement works at the station in East Sussex form part of the Department for Transport’s Access for All fund.
This follows on from a series of projects already undertaken at Eridge station which included a new £1.8m footbridge, a £500,000 canopy and platform renovations.
The Rail Minister commented on the importance of improvements like those completed at Eridge.
Minister Morton said: “Eridge is a beautiful example of what a village station can bring to its local community.
“We’ve invested £1.9m from the Access for All programme to improve accessibility to this Victorian station, ensuring that it can enjoyed by everyone.”
The project was designed to blend with the heritage aspects of the 1868 station which had been well-preserved and shared with the Spa Valley steam railway.
John Halsall, Network Rail Southern Region Managing Director spoke on the work done to modernise Eridge station.
Mr Halsall said: “Eridge has become the ultimate station, with modern, accessible facilities, along with all the benefits of a classic heritage design and a steam railway too.
“It’s such a pleasure to celebrate this achievement with all the people and organisations who contributed to it.”
Numerous improvements have already taken place at Eridge station undertaken by the railway industry and local partners.
The Railway Heritage Trust has already donated £30,000 and design advice for the waiting room on platform 1.
This formed part of rail operator Southern’s network-wide station improvement programme.
This work received support from the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership and Rotherfield Parish Council which commissioned a £1,500 mural of a railway map of the area.
