Renewing the lifts at Sevenoaks station
As part of our programme to improve accessibility and modernise station facilities, we are renewing the lifts at Sevenoaks station.
Project timeline
We are renewing the lifts at Sevenoaks station and will now complete the work by winter 2026.
What work is taking place?
We are renewing the lifts at Sevenoaks station, and the work will be phased.
In the first phase we have:
- Upgraded the Car Park Lift, concourse and platform 3 & 4 lifts. They reopened on Wednesday 24 June.
For the second phase of works we will:
- From Wednesday 24 June to winter 2026, modernise the lifts serving platforms 1 & 2.
During works, the station will remain open to passengers, but there will be partial step free access at the station.
We recognise that this disruption particularly affects customers who rely on step-free access and sincerely apologise for the impact on your journeys.
Thank you for your patience while these improvements are carried out. Once complete, the upgraded lifts will provide a more reliable and accessible experience for all passengers.
When is the work taking place?
The work began 16 July 2025 and are due to be completed by winter 2026.
How will this work affect me?
To minimise disruption, alternative travel arrangements and assistance are available. Passengers are encouraged to speak with station staff for details of the alternative routes. Or they can contact the assisted travel teams at Southeastern or Thameslink.
From 24 June to winter 2026, passengers needing step-free access should use the following routes:
- Platforms 3 & 4 lifts will remain in service and train services from these platforms will continue as normal.
- For Southeastern services: Use Tonbridge station for step-free access to and from Orpington/London Bridge/London Waterloo East/London Charing Cross or use the Thameslink service and change at Bromley South for London Victoria.
- Station staff can arrange a taxi between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks or alternatively take a train to Tonbridge from platform 3.
- Trains from Sevenoaks to and from Orpington/Lewisham/London Bridge/London Waterloo East/London Charing Cross will not be assessable from Sevenoaks station.
- Trains to London Blackfriars via Swanley/Bromley South/Peckham Rye and Elephant & Castle remain accessible.
- Away from London: Travel on services away from London are unaffected.
- The timetable for services from Sevenoaks will remain unchanged during the works.
We would like to thank passengers for their patience and kind cooperation while we improve the lifts. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, especially if you need step free access.
Check before you travel
For assisted travel on Southeastern services passengers should visit their website or call their team on 0800 783 4524.
For assisted travel on Thameslink service passengers should use visit their website or call their team on 0800 058 2844.
Why is the work needed?
The work is needed as the existing lifts are becoming increasingly unreliable. Sevenoaks station is one of the busiest in Kent, with an estimated 3.1 million passenger journeys annually.
The lift upgrades are essential to ensure the station remains accessible, efficient, and compliant with modern standards, particularly for passengers with reduced mobility.
By replacing the lifts one by one, we hope to provide partial step free access, but we know this work will be disruptive. Thank you for bearing with us while we work to give you more reliable lifts and a smoother journey.
Get in touch
If you have any questions, please visit our contact us page or telephone our 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 quoting Sevenoaks Station Lifts Renewal.
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