Stannah Lifts transforms seven Network Rail stations with step-free access

Stannah is managing a major accessibility upgrade project at several South Western Railway stations along the Wessex route, installing a total of 13 passenger lifts to date. Specify & Build reports.  

Stannah Lifts is providing lift solutions as part of a broader initiative across Network Rail’s Southern region, aimed at making stations accessible for all. Funded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) £350m ‘Access for All’ scheme, Network Rail is working in partnership with South Western Railway (SWR) and the London Borough of Merton Council to deliver accessibility upgrades along the Wessex route. The investment aims to create step-free access for passengers around Network Rail stations and involves the installation of lifts, footbridges, staircases and other improvements. 

The work  

Stannah Lift Services has been working alongside principal contractor Octavius, which was instrumental in these upgrades, to improve accessibility with its lift solutions at Motspur Park, Barnes, Walton-on-Thames and Isleworth stations, with the latest project at Stoneleigh currently underway. 

The work Stannah does to improve accessibility in train stations across the UK is managed by its Major Projects division, that works on technically complex or long-period construction projects, typically in heritage sites or infrastructure. 

Stannah provided multiple lift solutions in accordance with ‘Standard Specification for New and Upgraded Lifts’, supporting Network Rail in improving accessibility at stations across its routes. Built for durability and safety, the stainless-steel lift features black rubber bumper rails, offering a secure solution for both passengers and goods. 

• Motspur – three with two stop sixteen person passenger lifts 

• Barnes – three with two stop passenger lifts 

• Walton on Thames – two passenger lifts 

• Isleworth – two passenger lifts     

• Stoneleigh – three passenger lifts. 

The solution 

Stations from Motspur Park on the Wessex route, to the historic Walton-on-Thames and Isleworth stations that were first built in the 1800s, have all undergone a major transformation to improve step-free access. 

At the official opening of the updated Isleworth station, Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director for South Western Railway, said: “We’re very pleased to see these new lifts unveiled at Isleworth which, in line with Hounslow London Borough Council’s ambition of making all of its stations step-free, will make this station fully accessible for the very first time. We know just how big a difference these accessibility improvements make to customers and our local communities, which is why they’re a key part of our accessibility strategy.” 

Results 

The new Stannah lifts now provide step-free access to five of the seven stations along the Wessex route, enabling local residents and commuters to use the railways with ease. 

These new lifts have been added to the Network Rail lift maintenance contract, which sees Stannah take care of more than 1,800 lifts and escalators at stations across the UK, part of the company’s 100,000-strong lift service portfolio. 

Stannah has been helping Network Rail make rail travel more inclusive and accessible for those with limited mobility or travelling with luggage and prams for more than a decade. Accessibility improvements like these are a crucial part in making London a welcoming city for everyone. By making stations easier to access through the installation of Stannah lifts, Network Rail and its partners are encouraging sustainable travel choices and enhancing the overall passenger experience. 

Pete Ford, Project Manager, Major Projects Division of Stannah Lift Services, said: “It has been a real pleasure working alongside Octavius on these important projects. It was a great team effort bringing them to life, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see how our combined work is contributing to a more inclusive and accessible rail network. We’re proud to support Network Rail in creating a better travel experience for everyone. 

“Our renewed contract with Network Rail allows us to build on the excellence of our teams and processes, ensuring seamless travel for the thousands of passengers who rely on the network daily. We look forward to collaborating with Network Rail on future projects, delivering accessibility upgrades and ensuring inclusive travel for all passengers.” 

www.stannahlifts.co.uk