Pokesdown Station – Lift Installation
Improving Accessibility For Customers
What work is taking place?
We have begun work to make Pokesdown station a step free accessible station, converting the disused goods lift shafts on the footbridge into passenger lifts. This will make the station fully accessible to all customers.
The project includes:
- Two new passenger lifts serving both platforms
- New lift motor rooms
- Upgrades to the station power supply
- Improvements to station infrastructure associated with the lift installation
Subject to final approvals, further improvements are planned, including:
- Two additional station entrance doors
- Wider access between the booking hall and footbridge
When will work begin and when will it finish?
Main construction work is due to begin in October 2026 and is expected to be completed in early 2028.
Key dates
|
Date
|
Time
|
What’s happening?
|
|---|---|---|
|
Site Set-up: October – November 2026 |
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|
1 – 23 October 2026 |
07:30 – 17:30 |
Main site mobilisation, installation of site hoarding and construction of the scaffold loading bay on Platform 2. |
|
24 – 26 October 2026 |
22:00 – 06:00 |
Overnight work to erect scaffolding on Platform 1 and deliver materials to site by road/rail vehicle (RRV). |
|
31 October – 2 November 2026 |
22:00 – 06:00 |
Overnight work to erect scaffolding on the Platform 2 and deliver materials to site by road/rail vehicle (RRV). |
|
21 – 23 November 2026 |
22:00 – 06:00 |
Overnight delivery of material to site by road/rail vehicle (RRV). |
|
Lift Construction: October – May 2027 |
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|
16 October 2026 – 22 May 2027 |
07:30 – 17:30 |
Construction of the new lift shafts and lift motor rooms, including foundations, structural steelwork, cladding, roofing and internal fit-out works. |
|
Station Improvements: March – April 2027 |
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|
20 March – 1 April 2027 |
07:30 – 17:30 22:00 – 06:00 |
Improvements to the station footbridge and stairs, including new handrails, tactile paving and wayfinding signage. Materials will also be distributed around the site during this period. |
|
Lift Installation and Testing: May – July 2027 |
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|
May – October 2027 |
07:30 – 17:30 |
Installation, testing and commissioning of the new lifts. |
|
29 June – 14 July 2027 |
07:30 – 17:30 |
Installation of new platform canopies, fencing and surfacing improvements. |
|
Completion: October 2027 – January 2028 |
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|
October 2027 |
07:30 – 17:30 |
Removal of scaffolding, site compounds and construction equipment. |
|
November 2027 – January 2028 |
07:30 – 17:30 |
Project close-out activity and final demobilisation. |
How will this work affect me?
The station will remain open whilst we complete these works, as will the footbridge, so passengers can continue to use the station as they currently do.
As part of the works, the former Vintage & Style Charity shop space will be refurbished and converted into a welfare facility for construction teams working on the project.
During construction, passengers and neighbours will see increased activity around the station, including delivery vehicles, specialist plant, construction workers and hoardings to separate work areas from passenger areas.
Pokesdown station will remain open while the new lifts are constructed. Some work will need to take place overnight, at weekends or during planned railway closures so it can be carried out.
We will be sending a detailed letter to residents to let them know when we will be working.