Deptford Train Station redevelopment begins
As the Deptford Dame has already reported, years of reading the tea leaves about whether Deptford Station would ever get built have paid off - not only will it get built, work is underway right now. The work is important, not only for the passengers who use its narrow unforgiving entrance, but also for the centre of town, for which the new station is a key element in its development.
The Council says:
The development, which is being funded jointly by Lewisham Council and through the National Station Improvement Programme includes:
- Constructing a new station building, including a modern ticket office, a ticket window for people with disabilities and improved passenger information.
- Installing two new staircases as well as two new lifts to create step-free access between the station entrance and platforms.
- Removing the existing canopies along both platforms and replacing them with longer canopies to provide passengers with better protection from the weather
The new station is expected to be open in November this year while the full work programme, which is being carried out by VolkerFitzpatrick on behalf of Lewisham Council, is expected to be fully completed by summer 2012. The station and key facilities will remain open to passengers throughout the construction.
The majority of construction work will take place from 8am-5pm Monday-Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturdays. Some night work will be necessary but any residents likely to be affected will be kept informed. In order to help answer residents’ enquiries, VolkerFitzpatrick has organised an Open Day on Friday 8 April from 10am-4pm. The Open Day will take place at Unit 4, Titan Business Estate, Finch Street, SE8 and will also provide an opportunity to view drawings, plans and a model of the new station.
Alan Smith, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Lewisham Council, said: “The new railway station is a key element in our plans for Deptford’s regeneration. The idea is not only to update and upgrade the station for the benefit of local residents and businesses but also to create an excellent first impression for people visiting this increasingly attractive part of the borough.
“We plan to install lifts, glass facades, improve lighting and extend canopies to provide better protection from the weather. The station will lead onto a new public space created on the site of the currently-derelict station yard off Deptford High Street. This will allow access to the Victorian railway arches which will be converted to provide studio space for local artists.”
“We plan to install lifts, glass facades, improve lighting and extend canopies to provide better protection from the weather. The station will lead onto a new public space created on the site of the currently-derelict station yard off Deptford High Street. This will allow access to the Victorian railway arches which will be converted to provide studio space for local artists.”
Jim Munro, Contracts Manager at VolkerFitzpatrick, said: “The new, modern entrance will significantly improve accessibility for local residents and visitors, whilst the sensitive restoration of the arches and carriage ramp, which date back to the 1830s, will also ensure the station retains some of its rich history.
“Some night time works will be required when we need to work on the railway line itself; this must be done at a time to minimise train disruption. Local residents will be informed of any out of hours works well in advance.”
