TEDDINGTON STATION LIFTS RECEIVE OFFICIAL RIBBON-CUTTING OPENING CEREMONY
The lifts on both sides of Teddington Station were formally opened today (Fri) in a short ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Richmond upon Thames Mayor Cllr. Penelope Frost, local Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson as well as representatives of the local community and those who had long-campaigned for the building of the lifts to help movement between Platforms 1 and 2.
They became fully operational in March after several delays and now offer significant assistance to elderly people, passengers with the heavy luggage, parents with buggies and prams and those with mobility challenges from both Station Road and Victoria Road.
About 50 people assemble near the lifts on Platform 1 as speeches were made and briefly interrupted by station announcements and train arrivals as well as arrivals in the lift, demonstrating they were in good working order.
The ceremony was also attended by representatives of the local charity RUILS which runs a local Transport Mobility Forum and works closely with both the train and bus companies to secure better access for transport the across the Borough.
Paul McAleer, the principal programme sponsor from Network Rail said making Teddington station ‘step free’ made the station so much more accessible and supported the local community although it had take some time and he added: “It’s a real joy seeing passengers making use of it.” As he spoke the lift arrived with a woman in a wheelchair, who was attending the event.
Richmond Transport and Mobility Forum Co-Chair, Mary Harrison said the lifts delivered ‘safe and reliable transport access and helped better connect the community’ including the local businesses.
Peter Williams, South Western Railway’s Customer Commercial Director said: This station is really important to us.” He highlighted that fact that the alternative route between the platforms was 800 metres or the distance of two laps of a running track or half a mile in distance.
The Mayor Cllr Penelope Frost who was accompanied by her daughter and granddaughter said her family lived locally and had experienced the challenges of moving between platforms first-hand with pushchairs.
Tributes were also paid to Alan Benson and the late Councillor Martin Elengorn who had actively campaigned for the lifts as well as Brian Holder, who celebrates his 90th birthday in October and was able to attend the ceremony in a wheelchair.
MP Munira Wilson thank everyone for their ‘tireless efforts’ especially local councillors but added: “The fight is not over,” as she highlighted the requirement for similar access at Hampton Wick station.
YOU CAN WATCH A VIDEO CLIP OF THE OPENING CEREMONY HERE:https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/teddington-becomes-latest-station-in-south-west-london-to-receive-accessibility-improvements
Teddington station opened on 1 July 1863 and the station buildings were given Grade II listed status in 2012.
The station is on the Kingston Loop and between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, it saw over 1.6million people enter or exit the station with over 75,000 changing trains.
The £5.4m improvements have been funded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ‘Access for All’ scheme, which is used to create an obstacle free, accessible route from the station entrance to the platforms.
This generally includes providing lifts or ramps, as well as associated works and refurbishment along the route.
Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “The new entrance at Teddington station is really helpful for everyone. It makes it easier for people to get around and connect to other places.
“I’d like to thank Richmond Council for helping us with these upgrades at Teddington station as well as our partners South Western Railway whom we work closely with every day for the benefit of our passengers.
“We’re grateful to the Department for Transport for funding these important upgrades as we strive to ensure the railway is accessible to everyone.”
