A major plan to upgrade Peckham Rye Station has been submitted to Southwark council by Network Rail, following years of consultation.
If approved, the multi-million pound scheme will create better facilities for passengers and improve the capacity of the station, which dates back to 1865.
Several significant changes to the train station are proposed in a planning document which was submitted by Network Rail this week.
The main entrance of the station will be restored, a new rear entrance will be created, plus there will be more ground floor space.
There will also be wider platforms, larger gate lines, as well improved integration with surrounding public spaces.
These upgrades will increase the number of passengers that the station can handle in the future, alongside allowing more trains to stop in Peckham.
Network Rail has not yet put a precise figure on the overall cost of the project, as much depends on the result of the planning application and assurance reviews. Yet it is expected to be in the tens of millions.
A decision from the council on whether the plans can go ahead is expected around May 2022 and, depending on any proposed changes, construction would start in September 2023 and could finish late summer 2025.
The long duration of the works is due to the need to keep the station open while the building work is happening.
Improving accessibility to the station for the elderly, those with reduced mobility and pushchairs or heavy luggage is a major focus of the plan.
A new set of stairs and walkways will replace the narrow tunnels, which are currently used by passengers to get between the platforms, and new lifts will be added to give step free access to the platforms.
Peckham Rye is currently the busiest interchange station in the country without step free access to platforms or accessible facilities for passengers.
A CGI of the new inside of the station.
Network Rail have said the upgrade is also necessary for the station to cope with the projected increase in demand by 2040.
Adding a new west-facing entrance will increase the number of ticket barriers at the station by three, while the old front entrance will be expanded to 7 barriers plus 2 wide gates to handle the larger footfall.
To assist in dealing with congestion on the platforms, Network Rail plans to de-clutter the existing platforms to increase space for passengers.
Scaffolding is currently being erected on the front of the station to give the original Victorian-era facade a clean.
This is to prepare for the demolition of the neighbouring shopping arcade as part of the council’s Station Square redevelopment, as it will make the station’s front more visible.
“Peckham Rye station is a beautiful building in a fantastic location and should be a jewel in the crown of south London’s railway,” said Network Rail development manager Andrew Wood.
“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.
“Our aim for this development is to make the station shine again,” he added.