Thanks to the government’s Access for All fund, the 1868 station – which also serves steam and diesel trains on the Spa Valley Railway – was fitted with a lift, ramp, and other improvements at a cost of £1.9million.
Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani secured the funding for Eridge and Crowborough stations, and opened the Eridge improvements in mid-February, accompanied by rail minister Wendy Morton MP, Wealden District Council Leader Bob Standley and various other senior railway figures.
“Train travel is a key form of transport for Wealden residents, and I am delighted to have secured this multi-million-pound funding to ensure that Eridge Station is fully step-free, accessible to all Wealden commuters and fit for the future,” said Ms Ghani.
“Thank you to all the contractors and volunteers involved in delivering this project for Eridge. It is fantastic that Wealden train stations are benefitting from this major investment programme, and I look forward to seeing similar works completed at Crowborough station later this year.”
Access for All was launched in 2006 to address issues faced by disabled passengers and passengers facing mobility restraints, such as heavy luggage or pushchairs, when using railway stations in Great Britain.
An earlier grant saw Paddock Wood station fitted with two lifts to a new footbridge.
The project follows a series of projects to improve the station, including a new £1.8m footbridge, £500,000 canopy and platform refurbishments, and other heritage improvements.
By Victoria Roberts
