The long wait for lift access to Earlsfield Station is nearly over, with work beginning on the £8 million project to refurbish the station and install lifts up to the platforms.

Funding for the project was originally allocated by the previous government, under the Access for All and National Station Improvement programme, following intense lobbying of Transport Ministers by Sadiq.

With builders already moving into the site, commuters can expect some disruption over the coming months – but for most the work cannot begin soon enough. The lack of access at Earlsfield Station has been a serious issue for people with limited mobility, parents with buggies and older residents for many years, and over-crowding and poor ticketing facilities have been a bug-bear for commuters as passenger numbers have risen in recent years.

With cuts being made to other station improvement programmes, such as Clapham Junction, Sadiq Khan MP has kept up the pressure on Government Ministers, lobbying the Transport Secretary Stephen Hammond to ensure Earlsfield Station’s funding was protected.

Improvements to the station will include a new booking hall, a wider/enhanced entrance and new frontage, a new staircase, roof, lift and walkway to Platform 3, new lift and walkway to Platforms 1 and 2, new canopies on Platforms 2 and 3 and additional ticket machines.

Sadiq Khan MP said, “Improved access for public transport has been one of my priorities since I was first elected in 2005. I’m delighted that

Earlsfield residents will finally get the access and station facilities they need and deserve.

“It’s been a long drawn out process, and I’ve had to keep up pressure on government ministers and Network Rail, but at last work has begun.

“Amidst huge cuts to transport programmes, it’s great news that we’ve been able to protect this funding – which will ensure that people with limited mobility, pregnant women, parents with buggies and older residents will have easy access to their local station.”