Modernisation of historic Eridge ‘joint’ station is now complete
RAIL Minister Wendy Morton and Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani attended the official opening of the last phase of major improvements to 1868-built Eridge station, which is shared with the Spa Valley Railway by Network Rail.
February 16 marked the completion of a £1.9 million accessibility project that saw a lift, ramp, and other improvements delivered by Network Rail and BAM Nuttall on behalf of the Department for Transport’s Access for
All fund. The work was designed to blend in with the heritage aspects of the 1868 station.
It follows a series of projects to improve the station, including a new £1.8 million footbridge, a £500,000 canopy and platform refurbishments, and other heritage-style improvements, including a waiting room and a traditional name board.
Wendy Morton said: “Eridge is a beautiful example of what a village station can bring to its local community.”
Mark Dodd, from the Spa Valley Railway, said: “It’s been a true privilege to be part of such a huge project and to experience working with professionals. The ramp will hugely benefit our customers, and very soon our own accessible coach will be released into traffic.”
Network Rail Southern Region managing director John Halsall added:
“In some ways Eridge has become the ultimate station, with modern, accessible facilities, along with all the benefits of a classic heritage design and a steam railway, too.”
The station was opened in 1868 by the Brighton, Uckfield and Tunbridge Wells Railway. The line to Tunbridge Wells West was closed in 1985 but was reopened in 2011 by the Spa Valley Railway, returning trains to platforms 2 and 3 again.