South London's Berrylands Station to Close for Four-Month £6m Upgrade This Summer
A major railway station in South London is set to undergo a significant transformation this summer, with a four-month closure planned to facilitate a £6 million upgrade. Berrylands station, located in Surbiton, will be shut from Monday, May 11 until the end of September, as announced by Network Rail and South Western Railway.
Station Improvements and Passenger Impact
The extensive renovation project will see both platforms at Berrylands station, which are partially constructed from timber, replaced with durable glass-reinforced plastic. This material upgrade is designed to extend the station's operational lifespan for decades to come. In addition to the platform replacements, passengers will benefit from a range of modern amenities, including improved lighting, enhanced CCTV surveillance, new customer information screens, and upgraded station help points.
During the closure period, South Western Railway trains will not stop at Berrylands. To mitigate the inconvenience, a rail replacement bus service will operate every 30 minutes between New Malden and Surbiton. The station's ticket office, car park, and toilet facilities will also be closed for the duration of the works.
Alternative Travel Arrangements and Local Disruptions
Passengers are advised to adjust their travel plans accordingly. Those travelling towards Central London should use New Malden station, while passengers heading towards Woking are recommended to travel from Surbiton station. The rail replacement buses will depart from designated stops near Berrylands station: buses for New Malden will leave from Stop B, and buses for Surbiton will depart from Stop A, both located on Surbiton Hill Park, a short walk from the station.
Network Rail has issued warnings to local businesses and residents about potential disruptions during the construction period. These may include occasional footway restrictions on Lower Marsh Lane, parking suspensions on Chiltern Drive, and temporary road closures to facilitate construction access. The company has emphasized its commitment to minimizing impact on the community.
Official Statements and Project Timeline
George Murrell, Wessex route renewals director for Network Rail and South Western Railway, commented on the project: "When Berrylands station reopens later this year, passengers will benefit from a brighter, more welcoming station with modern platforms, improved lighting, CCTV, and better customer information. We know closing the station for several months will be inconvenient, but this £6 million investment will provide our passengers with a much better experience when travelling with us. We're grateful to the local community for their patience while we carry out these important upgrades."
Preparatory works for the upgrade are already underway, including vegetation clearance, utility diversions, and ecological mitigation measures to protect native wildlife in the area. Following the station's reopening in September, final snagging and site demobilisation activities will be completed to ensure a smooth transition back to normal operations.
