Work begins next week on installing gates at New Malden station, after campaigners fighting the closure of the south entrance accepted a compromise from South West Trains (SWT).

A survey of commuters and residents by MP Edward Davey found that 84 per cent of people were happy for the gates to only open at peak times.

Mr Davey accepted the offer of only closing the entrance between 9.40am and 4.30pm, and partially at weekends, something that will apparently affect fewer than 25 per cent of passengers.

SWT’s original decision to completely close the entrance on to Duke’s Avenue sparked a backlash from station users and nearby businesses, who were angry that they had not been properly consulted.

Plans to brick up the entrance last month were halted at the final hour after a protest and more than 1,200 petition signatures.

The new south entrance gates are likely to be finished by mid-October and ticket inspectors will be manning it to stop fare dodgers.

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