Project overview
Network Rail, in partnership with Southern and the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme, has completed a £6.2 million accessibility upgrade at Leatherhead station in Surrey. The project delivers a new footbridge equipped with two 16-person lifts, giving passengers step-free movement between platforms for the first time via a direct, level route.
Key accessibility improvements
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| New lifts | Two glass-fronted lifts (16-person capacity) serving both platforms |
| Footbridge | Fully enclosed, weather-protected link replacing the former steep external route |
| Platforms | Widened platform 2 and minor ramp modifications for smoother gradients |
| Safety | Additional CCTV coverage and upgraded LED lighting across the station |
These changes remove the need for passengers to exit the station and navigate the adjacent road underpass, a route previously considered impractical for wheelchair users, people with limited mobility and travellers with heavy luggage, bicycles or pushchairs.
Enhanced cycling facilities
Southern has complemented the accessibility works with sustainable-travel measures:
- A secure cycle hub on platform 1 holding 26 bicycles, equipped with a pump and basic maintenance tools.
- A double-deck rack for 32 bicycles and parking for six motorcycles at the platform 2 entrance.
- Expanded CCTV and key-fob entry to deter theft and improve personal security.
Stakeholder perspectives
- Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail Sussex Route Director
“Opening Leatherhead’s step-free bridge reaffirms our commitment to making the railway inclusive and reliable for every passenger. Similar schemes are progressing at Hither Green and have recently been delivered at Herne Bay.” - Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director, Govia Thameslink Railway (Southern)
“Early feedback from customers highlights the lifts as transformative. Combined with new cycle storage, the station now better supports active, car-free travel in the Mole Valley area.”
Context within the Access for All portfolio
Leatherhead is the latest Southern-route station to receive accessibility funding south of the River Thames, following recent completions at Streatham, Bexley, Plumstead, Isleworth, Walton-on-Thames, Motspur Park, Barnes, Tooting and Herne Bay. Further schemes are scheduled through 2025, reinforcing the region’s strategic shift towards fully accessible, multi-modal stations.
Next steps
Network Rail and Southern will monitor passenger flow and lift reliability over the coming months, with routine maintenance scheduled to ensure uptime during the summer peak. Railway Prune will continue to report on subsequent Access for All milestones across the south-east network.
