Wivelsfield station new footbridge.

[stadler]

What is happening with the footbridge at Wivelsfield station? This has been promised for ages and just keeps getting delayed and delayed. They have said that a new footbridge with lifts will be installed in order to finally give step free access to the opposite platform. It was first talked about in 2022 when a bid for funding was made. Then back in January 2024 the funding was confirmed and there was a press release about it with the council and two local MPs (as the station is right near a constituency border) doing a publicity stunt about it. But since then it has been silence with no progress and no work has started. In two months time it will be January 2026 which is two entire years since the official press release and confirmation that it was going ahead. What is causing the endless delays and does anyone know when work will start?

 

[The exile]

According to a post by Burgess Hill Town Council (no idea how to link but it’s on their webpage) - as of Sept 2025 Network Rail are still awaiting the release of government funding.

 

[stadler]

According to a post by Burgess Hill Town Council (no idea how to link but it’s on their webpage) - as of Sept 2025 Network Rail are still awaiting the release of government funding.

Ah thank you. I missed that. I just found that now and it appears to be in a town council newsletter that was issued.

https://www.burgesshill.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Another-Update-on-the-Updates-Leader-Update-31-REVISED-002.pdf

Update 1 – Wivelsfield Station improvements

Network Rail is still waiting for the transfer of Government funds to come through before work can start. As of September 2025, there has been no indication as to when this will be. The improvements include a new passenger lift and footbridge, giving access to Platform 1 (northbound) for wheelchair users for the very first time in the station’s history.

It is ridiculous how long this is taking. Why does it take two years to release funding that has been granted. At this rate it could be another year or two before work starts.

 

[zwk500]

Given that the station is elevated above the road, is it explained why a footbridge was chosen and not individual lifts direct from the street?

 

[stadler]

Given that the station is elevated above the road, is it explained why a footbridge was chosen and not individual lifts direct from the street?

What i wonder is why they did not simply build ramp access directly from P1 to the footpath and road. That way no lifts or footbridges would be required. That seems far more logical but instead they are going ahead with a very expensive footbridge and lifts.

Up until around 2015 there was no step free access to any platforms at all. Both platforms were only accessible via steep steps from the main entrance. But then in 2015 they built a new ramp and opened a new side entrance on Gordon Road giving step free level access to and from the P2 (Southbound) platform.

So why can they not do the same for the P1 (Northbound) platform. Looking on the Google Satellite View it looks possible to build a ramp directly from P1 to the footpath that runs alongside it which then gives access to Leylands Road at the end of the footpath. This would be so much cheaper than a footbridge and lifts and would avoid any issues of lifts being out of service.

 

[zwk500]

What i wonder is why they did not simply build ramp access directly from P1 to the footpath and road. That way no lifts or footbridges would be required. That seems far more logical but instead they are going ahead with a very expensive footbridge and lifts.

Up until around 2015 there was no step free access to any platforms at all. Both platforms were only accessible via steep steps from the main entrance. But then in 2015 they built a new ramp and opened a new side entrance on Gordon Road giving step free level access to and from the P2 (Southbound) platform.

So why can they not do the same for the P1 (Northbound) platform. Looking on the Google Satellite View it looks possible to build a ramp directly from P1 to the footpath that runs alongside it which then gives access to Leylands Road at the end of the footpath. This would be so much cheaper than a footbridge and lifts and would avoid any issues of lifts being out of service.

So I know ramps are less preferred by some people with less mobility but yeah it does seem mad for a station like Wivelsfield not just to be going with the simplest to maintain option

 

[30907]

So I know ramps are less preferred by some people with less mobility but yeah it does seem mad for a station like Wivelsfield not just to be going with the simplest to maintain option

Would there not be a requirement to provide accessible parking spaces on the Up side, which would mean purchasing land? Just a thought.

 

[zwk500]

Would there not be a requirement to provide accessible parking spaces on the Up side, which would mean purchasing land? Just a thought.

As long as there is an accessible route between any accessible parking spaces and both platforms i dont see why there would be a specific requirement to provide parking on both sides. Plenty of stations (including brand new ones) do not have accessible parking on both sides.