A planning application has been submitted by Network Rail to Southwark Council for improvement works at Peckham Rye Station.

It comes after Network Rail received £1 million from the Department of Transport in June 2021 to develop designs for improvement works.

The railway company proposes plans to provide new lifts to all platforms and accessible toilets, wider platforms, larger passageways, new lifts and staircases, larger gate lines, and entrances.

News Shopper: Peckham Rye station designs (Network Rail)Peckham Rye station designs (Network Rail)

Network Rail lead development manager Andrew Wood said: “Peckham Rye station is a beautiful building in a fantastic location and should be a jewel in the crown of South London’s railway.

"Sadly various developments have hidden that jewel from view and in addition, the station is no longer big enough for the number of people who use it.

News Shopper: Peckham Rye station designs (Network Rail)Peckham Rye station designs (Network Rail)

"It’s also not accessible for people with reduced mobility, or even people with pushchairs and luggage.

“Our aim for this development is to make the station shine again and create a space that befits its role as a major interchange for passengers and a transport hub for Peckham.

“Should everything go to plan, Peckham Rye will have a new entrance at the back, with lifts and new stairs, wider platforms and new toilets, and will link well with Southwark’s plans to open up the front of the building.

News Shopper: Peckham Rye station designs (Network Rail)Peckham Rye station designs (Network Rail)

"It’s fantastic to see the level of local support for the station and our plans for it.”

Peckham Rye is the busiest interchange station in England without step-free access to platforms or accessible facilities for passengers, according to the Network Rail website.

Three public design workshops were previously held through Zoom in January, February, and April 2021.

News Shopper: Peckham Rye station designs (Network Rail)Peckham Rye station designs (Network Rail)

The station previously recorded more than seven million annual entries before the coronavirus pandemic.

Southwark Council is also currently developing the Station Square outside the main entrance to Peckham Rye.

Network Rail aims to make a funding request from the government in summer 2022 if the application is approved.

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