They have reached a milestone in becoming accessible for everyone
An aerial view of High Brooms Railway Station in High Brooms in Tunbridge Wells(Image: Network Rail)
Long-awaited improvements to accessibility at two Kent railway stations are one step closer – as the Government has announced they will progress to detailed designs. High Brooms station, near Tunbridge Wells, has made the list of 23 up and down the country to move on to this stage, along with Marden, near Tonbridge.
They are part of an overall 50 projects moving on to milestone stages, under the Access for All banner. Maidstone West and South Croydon are among 19 not being progressed “at this point”, said the Government.
As KentLive has previously reported, access at High Brooms Railway Station is so bad some passengers who use wheelchairs face the indignity and inconvenience of continuing to Tunbridge Wells and returning by train on the other platform, or getting a taxi home. And each night at peak times, commuters have to funnel down a two-metre-wide winding stone staircase.
People with prams, luggage, bikes, on crutches or those who simply struggle to walk can all face the steps. The station was used by 1.149 million passengers during 2024/2025.
A long-running campaign has been led by resident Barry Crick and then Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark, and now his successor, Mike Martin MP, to make the station accessible for all. Mr Martin launched a petition in June last year to Parliament, urging for Government funding for the “step-free access” scheme which was already drawn up by Network Rail.
KentLive previously reported on Network Rail’s plans to build “unobstructed and obstacle-free accessible routes” to both platforms at High Brooms. This would be achieved through construction of a new link bridge, including a lift and staircase at either end.
Network Rail itself pointed out, in its application to the borough council for prior approval, there was currently no step-free access between the two platforms, as there is only a subway with staircases. The scheme will now go on to the next stage, during which more precise designs will be drawn up.
The station is the next stop on the way to London from Tunbridge Wells. Marden Parish Council and Helen Grant, MP for the area, submitted a bid for improvements to Marden Railway Station in 2018.
The MP said at the time: “Only four stops away lies London to the West and Ashford International to the East. This important commuter station serves some half a million users a year and demand is growing, but only the London-bound half of the station can be used by people needing step-free access.
“The situation is hugely inconvenient and inequitable for anyone who struggles with stairs; passengers with luggage, wheelchair users, mothers with prams, and those who just need a helping hand – especially if they have no use of a car.” A Government spokesperson said yesterday (January 15): “This government is committed to improving the accessibility of Britain’s railway and recognises the significant social and economic benefits of doing so.
“As we move towards the establishment of Great British Railways, we will provide greater detail of how these ambitions will be funded and delivered. Since 2006, the Access for All programme has delivered step-free accessible routes at over 270 stations.
“In May 2024, the previous government announced feasibility work on 50 stations without indicating how the delivery of such schemes would be funded, raising significant stakeholder expectations. This government is committed to a rigorous approach and only making commitments we believe are affordable and would represent value for money to passengers and taxpayers.”
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