Network Rail has announced it will host a drop-in session to display plans for step-free access at a railway station in Surrey.

Passengers and residents will be able to view proposals for the £3.1m investment at Godalming station.

Members of the Network Rail team will be on hand to answer questions and update residents on the proposed changes.

Funded by the government's Access for All programme, plans for the station include:

• Construction of a new fully enclosed footbridge.

• Development of two 16-person fully accessible lifts to enable step free access between platforms.

• Relocation and replacement of the existing cycle shelters with additional capacity.


• Canopy extensions to provide a weather protected route between the new footbridge structure and existing canopies.

Network Rail is also investing over £300,000 to resurface platforms, which will provide tactile paving for the extent of both platforms and improve the stepping distance between platform and train.

Rail Minister Claire Perry said: "We're investing record amounts in Britain's railways as part of our long-term economic plan, and improving accessibility at stations through our Access for All fund is an important part of that. 

"The work at Godalming will make journeys better for customers who are disabled or have limited mobility, as well as making a real difference to those with heavy luggage or buggies, and I am glad that progress is being made."

Jon Ratcliffe, senior commercial scheme sponsor at Network Rail, added:

"Access for All is a significant investment, which helps to make using the railway even easier for the millions of passengers, who travel by train every year. Godalming station will have step-free access for the first time and the new bridge and lifts will be a valuable addition to the station's facilities."

The drop-in session will take place on 9 September between 3pm-8pm at the station.

(LM)