The Berrylands railway station in Surbiton is set to reopen on Monday, September 28, after being closed since May for a £6 million platform upgrade. The project, led by Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR), has focused on replacing two century-old timber platforms and widening narrow sections to improve safety and accessibility.
Throughout the closure, no trains stopped at either of the station's two platforms, and the ticket office, car park, and toilet facilities were all shut. Commuters have been reliant on rail replacement buses for the better part of six months.
Berrylands station sits on the Southampton Direct Line, which links the south coast to Waterloo, passing through well-known stations such as Woking. The station's two platforms, which originate from the 1930s, have been fully replaced as part of the work.
Further improvements planned
South Western Railway has announced plans to carry out additional improvements at the station in due course. These will include new lighting, CCTV, passenger information screens, help points, and waiting shelters on both platforms.
Engineering surveys conducted during the works uncovered considerable deterioration in the station's two staircases. In response, temporary staircases are being constructed prior to reopening. This will enable SWR to continue evaluating options to renovate or replace the original staircases.
In an update on Wednesday, September 23, a spokesperson for SWR stated: "Berrylands station is closed for upgrades until Monday, September 28, and trains are not calling at the station. The station's two platforms are being fully replaced, and narrow sections of platform are being widened to improve safety and accessibility."
Services and amenities to resume
From Monday, September 28, rail replacement bus services will end, and services between London Waterloo and Hampton Court will resume calling at Berrylands in both directions. The station's ticket office, car park, and toilet facilities will all reopen.
The spokesperson added: "Further improvements, including new lighting, CCTV, customer information screens, help points and waiting shelters on both platforms, are also set to be completed at a later date."
The £6 million scheme, spearheaded by Network Rail and SWR, is designed to bring the station and its ageing platforms into the modern era. The project has focused on the replacement of these timber structures, which originate from the 1930s.
