SWELTRAC Study Identifies Interchange Improvements at 12 Stations

17/12/2002

The South and West London Transport Conference (SWELTRAC) partnership has recently completed an access and interchange study for 12 stations in south and west London. This study is in addition to the study of 17 stations in the South West Trains franchise area undertaken for SWELTRAC by Parkman (press release issued in October).

The stations involved in this exercise - Balham, Battersea Park, Carshalton, Coulsdon South, Hackbridge, Haydons Road, Kensington Olympia, Morden South, Waddon, Wallington, Wandsworth Common and West Drayton - are managed by Silverlink, South Central, Thameslink and Thames Trains. The study undertaken by Peter Brett Associates involved the local authorities, train operating companies, local residents and rail users groups. Potential works amounting to an overall cost of more than £3m were identified, ranging from £99,000 at Morden South to £381,000 at Wallington.

The study recommends a number of local area enhancements at each station aimed at improving the connectivity of the station with the local area and encouraging walking, cycling and bus travel to the station. A key output included the redesign of station forecourts to provide a safer environment, introduce better cycle storage facilities and assist access for the mobility impaired. Low cost refurbishment measures to the exterior of station buildings and new station signing were proposed to enhance the prominence of stations, while in-station improvements focused on passenger safety and cross platform access.

Some of the minor works identified from this study have received funding from SWELTRAC for implementation in the current financial year. Bids and representations have also been made to both TfL and the SRA (particularly in respect of South London Metro pilot route stations) for funding to undertake further works in 2003/04 and beyond.