Lambeth Council is addressing accessibility concerns at Loughborough Junction Station, prioritising safety and step-free access for all passengers. The move follows concerns raised at a Council meeting on 16 July 2025 regarding the station's non-compliant stair exits and lack of step-free access, which pose significant safety risks, especially during peak hours.
Councillor Paul Valentine raised the issue with Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, Deputy Leader of the Council (Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air), inquiring about plans for an accessibility feasibility study. Councillor Valentine highlighted that the station has one of the highest footfalls in Lambeth, but the only stair exit from the platform is non-compliant to current standards, raising concerns about potential incidents.
Councillor Chowdhury acknowledged the importance of the issue, stating that the council has been working to progress it for more than five years as part of a longstanding Labour commitment to enhance accessibility on the public transport network. She explained that while station improvements are the responsibility of Network Rail and Govia Thameslink, Lambeth Council has been actively pressuring and supporting them.
In 2020, the council commissioned a feasibility study for step-free access to Loughborough Junction station. The study was limited by pandemic restrictions but identified several options and found challenges with each of them. The project was subsequently unsuccessful in securing Accessibility for All funding from the government.
Councillor Chowdhury assured that the council would continue to advocate for the project with partners and national government to finalize proposals and funding. However, the document does not provide a timeline for a new study or when residents can expect to see concrete proposals.
Loughborough Junction Station serves a high volume of passengers daily, making accessibility improvements crucial for the safety and convenience of all users. The current lack of step-free access and non-compliant stair exits pose safety concerns, particularly during peak hours.
