Sevenoaks station has reopened the lifts to platforms 3 and 4 and begun replacing the lifts serving platforms 1 and 2, the next phase of a renewal running to winter 2026. Here is what it means for step-free travel.

Sevenoaks station has reopened the lifts serving platforms 3 and 4 and has now started work on replacing the lifts to platforms 1 and 2, the next stage of a station-wide lift renewal that is due to finish in winter 2026. The car park lift, the concourse lift and the platform 3 and 4 lifts reopened on Wednesday 24 June, and work on the remaining lifts began the same day. (Network Rail, Renewing the lifts at Sevenoaks station)

Sevenoaks is one of the busiest stations in Kent, with more than 3.1 million passenger journeys a year, so a period with only part of the station step-free matters to a lot of commuters and families. (Network Rail, Major upgrade of lifts at Sevenoaks station continues)

What is being replaced, and when

The whole programme started on 16 July 2025 and is being done in two phases because the existing lifts are becoming increasingly unreliable. (Network Rail, Renewing the lifts at Sevenoaks station)

  • Phase one (now complete): the car park lift, the concourse lift and the lifts serving platforms 3 and 4 were upgraded. They reopened on Wednesday 24 June.
  • Phase two (under way now): from Wednesday 24 June to winter 2026, the lifts serving platforms 1 and 2 are being modernised.

Phase one ran on later than the first plan, which had it finishing in late spring. Rail Technology Magazine reported that engineers found a flooded lift pit during the work, and that standing water had accelerated corrosion to key components, adding repairs beyond the original scope. (Rail Technology Magazine, Major lift upgrade at Sevenoaks station enters next phase as platforms 3 and 4 reopen)

David Davidson, Chief Operating Officer for South Eastern Railway, said: “We know the next phase of works replacing the lift on platforms 1 and 2 will cause inconvenience,” adding that “the current lifts at Sevenoaks station need to be replaced.” (Network Rail, Major upgrade of lifts at Sevenoaks station continues)

What it means for you

The station stays open throughout, and the lifts to platforms 3 and 4 are back in service, so step-free access to those platforms has returned. The catch is platforms 1 and 2, which handle fast London-bound Southeastern services. While their lifts are out, step-free access on that side of the station is limited during phase two. (Network Rail, Renewing the lifts at Sevenoaks station)

If you need step-free access towards London, Network Rail’s advice is to travel via Tonbridge station or to use a Thameslink service via Bromley South, and it says station staff can arrange a taxi between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks. Anyone who relies on assisted travel should book ahead: Network Rail’s helpline is 03457 11 41 41, and assisted travel can be arranged through Southeastern on 0800 783 4524 or Thameslink on 0800 058 2844. (Network Rail, Renewing the lifts at Sevenoaks station)

If you are planning a journey around the works, it is worth checking which platform your train leaves from before you set off. Our guide to Sevenoaks train times to London covers the fast services and terminals, and if you drive to the station, note that the car park lift is one of the ones now back in use; see our guide to parking in Sevenoaks for the wider picture.

Sources

Image: Platform 1, Sevenoaks Railway Station by Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph.