Network Rail has completed the £6m refurbishment of one of London’s busiest suburban stations, Hither Green
The Hither Green station is a busy one, serving 3.3 million passengers a year in normal times.
The works included the refurbishment of the platforms, rewiring all the electrics in the station and replacing all the lighting, removing and replacing the old timber canopy on Platform 2 and 3 with a tubular steel glass one, as well as work to improve the station buildings and footbridges.
Passengers will now be able to enjoy brighter lighting and shelter from the weather under new glass canopies, along with resurfaced platforms and new tactile strips to help visually impaired passengers.
The project team liaised closely with the local community and included the renovation of a garden area.
Welcoming passengers back to a ‘lighter and brighter’ station
Network Rail’s route director for Kent, Fiona Taylor, said: “This project was completed during our year of lockdown without having to close the station and was carried out in the spirit of close collaboration with the local community
“The size and location of Hither Green station made this a challenging job, with six platforms high above the surrounding area, and sitting in the junction between two major railway lines. I’m really pleased to be welcoming passengers back to a much lighter and brighter station.”
Dan Matthews, Southeastern area manager for Hither Green station, said: “Our focus is always on providing the best customer experience and I’m proud that our team at Hither Green managed to keep the station open for passengers during the work.
“Delivering it under Covid was a challenge and the partnership with Network Rail worked really well. As more passengers return to rail in the coming weeks I’m sure they will appreciate the improvements at the station.”