How we are improving our stations...

Swanley

What improvements have been made?

A multi-million pound investment has delivered a more welcoming and comfortable station with two new spacious entrances, smarter waiting rooms and better toilet facilities.

Is the project completed?

The main work has been completed. An official opening event, led by Southeastern Managing Director, Steve White and attended by funding partners including Kent County Council and Sevenoaks District Council, was held on 22 November 2021.

How will customers benefit?

More information screen, better lighting and CCTV installed to improve the travel experience and increase customer and staff safety.

How will the community benefit?

The station approach road has also been improved to encourage walking or cycling to the station and to reduce traffic congestion, helping to improve air quality and safety.

How much has been invested...

Almost £5.5m

Network Rail allocated £3.2m from their Renewal Portfolio to improve the walkway through the station entrances and down to the platforms. The project also included the removal and replacement of the canopy, with new protective paint, repairs to the stairs and steelwork, plus the replacement of glazing and new external cladding.

The station approach and new entrances were delivered by Southeastern and funded by £2.25m from Sevenoaks District Council, through the Community Infrastructure Levy (£750,000) and Kent County Council through their Local Growth Fund (£1.5m), via the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.

More about the station...

To find out more info about Swanley station like ticket office opening times and station facilities, visit our Swanley station information page.


Kidbrooke

pink flowers in the foreground with Kidbrooke station in the background. Kidbrooke is written in big letters on side of the building next to a big clock face.

What improvements have been made?

The spacious, bright and welcoming station building greatly enhances the customer experience. The sleek design provides an impressive gateway to this part of London, complementing the surrounding Kidbrooke Village development.

Is the project completed?

The main work on the forecourt and new station building have been completed. An official opening event, led by the Chair of Network Rail, Sir Peter Hendy was held on 2 July 2021.

How will customers benefit?

There are several live departure boards and screens within the new station building to help passengers plan their journey. The bright, open booking hall is a space that people can use while they wait for their train – there is also a community library space for book exchanges.

Ticket vending machines are provided at the station for those times when the ticket office is closed.

How will the community benefit?

The improved station has been designed to complement the Kidbrooke Village development and it is located next to a large open square at the heart of the community.

More about the station...

To find out more info about Kidbrooke station like ticket office opening times and station facilities, visit our Kidbrooke station information page.


Maidstone East

Southeastern staff in uniform stood in front of the entrance to Maidstone East station.

What improvements have been made?

Following the removal of the old pub building there is now an open, expansive concourse and a welcoming, spacious entrance building for the station.

Is the project be completed?

The main work on the forecourt and new station building has been completed. An official opening event led by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Fay Gooch was held on 2 December 2021.

How will customers benefit?

The new station building has many new facilities including a waiting room, ca and ticket office.

There will also be better lighting and CCTV to improve safety, more accessible parking and drop off spaces.

How will the community benefit?

Flowers and shrubs have been planted on the forecourt to provide a landscaped, bright and cheerful environment for local people and anyone visiting the town.

the work taking place to the side of the station will improve the walking route to Maidstone Barracks station.

A new town landmark has been sited at the station, it's an impressive 3.5m by 2m high sculpture of 'Iggy' the dinosaur that was unveiled at the opening event.

Did you know? Maidstone's dino connections go back a long way (approx. 125 million years) as fossils were discovered there in Victorian times. The Iguanodon even features on Maidstone Borough's coat of arms.

How much has been invested?

£5.2m has been spent on the work to improve the station.

More about the station...

To find out more info about Maidstone East station like ticket office opening times and station facilities, visit our Maidstone East station information page.


Canterbury East 

What improvements have been made?

Thanks to the installation of new lifts and a footbridge the station has step free access to all platforms.

Is the project completed?

Yes. The project was officially unveiled by Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield, alongside representatives from Network Rail and Southeastern on 19 November 2021.

How will customers benefit?

The station is now much easier to use for passengers with mobility issues, older people and parents with young children, or those with luggage.

How will the community benefit?

A new gate has been added nearer to the footbridge, which means that people passing through the station can do so more safely.

Six Blue Badge parking bays and more bike stands are now also available at the station.

How much has been invested?

£4.8m from the Access for All scheme.

More about the station...

To find out more info about Canterbury East station like ticket office opening times and station facilities, visit our Canterbury East station information page.