Local London Assembly Member, Florence Eshalomi AM, has called on the Government to include Peckham Rye and Streatham as priority stations to secure vital Government funding to improve accessibility and step-free access.
Last year, the Government published its Inclusive Transport Strategy and, as part of this, allocated an extra £300 million for its Access for All programme. The funding will be made available for step-free access improvements at selected railway stations across the UK between 2019 and 2024.
Peckham Rye and Streatham station were both identified by Network Rail has priority stations for improved accessibility.
Mrs Eshalomi AM is calling upon the Government to provide a portion of this investment for Peckham Rye and Streatham Station, which could go towards the installation of lifts, new ramps and footbridges and accessible ticket gates and toilets.
It has been confirmed that the list of successful nominated stations will be announced in April 2019.
Local London Assembly Member, Florence Eshalomi AM, said:
“We need to do everything possible to ensure local residents with disabilities and mobility issues can access transport links across the capital.
“Peckham Rye and Streatham are both extremely busy stations that were identified by Network Rail as priorities for step-free funding. I hope that Network Rail will continue to make the case to the Government the need for improvements at both stations.
“Improving accessibility here would make a huge difference to the lives of local people, vastly improving what is usually a complicated and stressful experience for people with disabilities, the elderly, and parents with pushchairs when navigating London’s transport system.
“This is why I urge the Government to include Peckham Rye and Streatham and allocate them both a share of the Access for All funding”.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- In July 2018, the Government published its Inclusive Transport Strategy and, as part of this, allocated an extra £300 million for its Access for All programme;
- It has been confirmed that the list of successful nominated stations will be announced in April 2019;
- Florence Eshalomi AM is the London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark.