Walton-on-Thames opens new accessible train station!

Disabled people, those living with long term health conditions or those travelling with luggage, children or bicycles can now benefit from step-free access at Walton-on-Thames station after Network Rail completed accessibility upgrades.

This £6m programme of work began in September 2022 and has included a range of improvements including a new bridge, lifts and staircases, plus the widening of platform one and new CCTV cameras to provide extra security.

These improvements were formally opened at a special event at the station on 30 August with Network Rail’s Wessex Route Director Mark Goodall, South Western Railway’s Projects and Change Director, Alex Foulds, Octavius’ James Mendis, Monica Harding MP and Cllr Steve Bax, Deputy Mayor of Elmbridge.

Our members have been campaigning for this station to be made accessible for a very long time.

Yasmin, our Involvement Lead, attended the official opening of the new improved station with one of our members, Carinder – he lives locally to Walton-on-Thames but hasn’t felt able to use the train in the past due to it being inaccessible.

Carinder said ‘I’m so pleased that the station is now accessible to all. I haven’t felt able to travel by train before as the station wasn’t accessible to me. Now there are lifts at the station, I’m going to give travelling by train a try!’

The opening of the new accessible station was discussed on BBC Radio Surrey this morning. Another one of our members, Jonathan, talked to them about the difference an accessible train station can make to Disabled people.

Thanks to everybody that has campaigned for these changes and to Jonathan, Carinder and Yasmin for their involvement today! Together we can make a difference!