Local Councillors urge Network Rail to 'get a move on'

Representatives of Network Rail and South West Trains were at Putney Station on Tuesday evening (February 17) to meet commuters and answer questions about the much-delayed completion of the £9 million refurbishment at the station.

Thamesfield’s Conservative councillors – Jim Maddan, Rosemary Torrington and Mike Ryder - were there and gave the companies' representatives an unambiguous message.

Jim Maddan, Rosemary Torrington and Mike Ryder at the station

“We made it very clear to them, in no uncertain terms, that commuters who paid a lot of money for their tickets deserved to have a first-class station, and that the remaining work should be completed as soon as possible”, the councillors said.

Hoardings will be put up in the entrance hall next week so that work, including putting in new ticket machines, can start and that is due to finish by June or July. Then work should start in the summer on the new canopy on Platform 1 and on the ticket office. The whole project is due to be finished by Spring 2016.

The councillors were also promised that updates to keep passengers informed about progress would be posted up in the main concourse every two months.

Artist's Impressions of New Station Booking Hall

“We will also continue pressing for a second entrance to the station from Oxford Road to ease congestion in the rush hours “, said Councillor Maddan.

Network Rail say they have no plans currently for a second entrance but are aware of Wandsworth Council's aspiration for such an entrance and they promise 'to review options with stakeholders'.

The station will remain open for the duration of the work and Network Rail plan to hold more 'Meet the Team' type events during the project.

February 18, 2015