UK’s busiest non 'access-friendly' station is closer to major upgrade

Planned accessibility and modernisation of Transport for London's Peckham Rye station is nearer to reality with the acceptance of Network Rail's upgrade proposals.

NR's renovation of the listed Victorian station building is to include the creation of a new station concourse at ground level with lifts and stair access to platforms, accessible toilets, wider platforms and additional gate lines. Meanwhile an entrance from Dovedale Court is proposed. NR says the improvements would “dramatically improve the passenger experience and safety, particularly for people with luggage, wheelchairs and pushchairs”, and will “provide scope for any potential future expansion.”

NR is expected to submit an Outline Business Case ‘soon’ based on the planning consent, partnered with a £40m funding request for the next detailed design stage which is hoped to be completed by summer 2025.

Network Rail told RAIL that the Outline Business Case hasn’t been submitted yet, and that there currently isn’t a funding request of the overall project cost.

Once its Outline Business Case is submitted, NR says it will continue working with Department for Transport (DfT) to produce a final business case and request funding for construction works, expected to start autumn 2025, lasting around two years.

Govia Thameslink says it will help Network Rail and Southwark Council develop a detailed design for passengers and the local community.

The proposed Dovedale court elevation of Peckham Rye station, if the business case for the station upgrade can be validated.

The development will form part of a wider regeneration by Southwark Council, following its £27m investment to create a new civic square between the station and Rye Lane, which will provide passengers with an additional route to access the station, “unlocking views of the historic listed station building and better linking it to Rye Lane with a high-quality public realm and surrounded by new business space within restored arches,” NR said.

Earlier this year, NR cleaned the external brickwork of the station and renovated the roof of Peckham Rye, opening up its disused waiting room to benefit passengers.

Andrew Wood, NR’s senior commercial scheme sponsor, said: “I’m delighted we have received formal planning consent. Peckham Rye is the busiest interchange in the UK that isn’t fully accessible. Our proposals will rectify this and provide passengers with a welcoming and fully accessible station that is fit for purpose while retaining the heritage features of this fantastic Grade II listed station.

“We are working closely with our partners – Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and Southwark Council in particular – to ensure our proposals support their ambitions and any future development plans within and outside the station.”