Major plan to improve city’s east station

A multi-million pound plan to improve access for people using Canterbury East Station has been unveiled by rail chiefs.

The proposal involves making access between the station entrances and platforms easier for people with disabilities and reduced mobility, as well as passengers with children, heavy luggage or shopping.

Network Rail engineers are due to submit planning applications for lifts and a footbridge at the station, which is managed by operator Southeastern.

The project will cost £4 million and is part of the Access for All programme, funded by the Department for Transport.

John Halsall, Network Rail’s route managing director for the south east, says the improvements will make travelling by train much easier for people with reduced mobility and those with buggies, bags and bikes.

“Train travel should be for everyone, and while there are historic reasons as to why not all our stations are accessible, we remain focused on making improvements to as many as we can. We’ll now be working with local authorities, passengers and neighbours to take these designs and make them a reality.”

Work will take place once permission has been secured and designs are complete, with the schemes intended to be finished over the next two years.