Wivelsfield railway station to benefit from £20m government funding pot

The station was nominated for inclusion by Wivelsfield MP Maria Caulfield, following complaints from disabled residents that platform one, which takes trains to London, has no step free access with more than 50 steps from the road to the platform.

This means that residents wishing to go to London are having to climb these steps to the platform or travel to either Haywards Heath or Hassocks.

The improvements are being made through the Access for All programme which, since 2006, has already made more than 200 stations step free, as well as delivered smaller scale accessibility improvements at more than 1,500 others to improve passenger experience.

Works may include new lifts, accessible toilets and customer information screens.

Mrs Caulfield said: “I am delighted that following my nomination, Wivelsfield railway station has been included in the Access For All programme and will soon see a chunk of the £20m fund used to improve disabled access for local residents.

“The ability to travel easily from A to B is an essential factor for our day to day lives – but is not the reality for everyone, so this is great news for Wivelsfield and the surrounding area.

“I will continue to keep local residents up to date with progress of the works.”

The £20million is part of a £300million package announced by the government last year which is already providing accessible, step free routes at 73 stations across the UK, making it easier for disabled people to travel on the UK’s rail network.