A new footbridge and lifts are to be installed at Ewell West station, making it more accessible.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council approved a planning application from Network Rail (who has legal power to carry out the work anyway, unless the local authority thought it should be done elsewhere on the land).

Brian Angus, chairman of Ewell Village Residents Association, has wanted similar work done to the station for years.

He said: "It's good that it will be improving accessibility. We've suggested changes like making the ramp in the West Ewell direction shallower, too.

"An unusual thing is that all modern rail bridges have to be high enough for overhead cables, so it will be a much larger bridge next to a smaller one.

"But they're spending £3.5million, which is a decent investment."

The work is part of Network Rail’s “Access for All” scheme, which is hoped to allow more people to use stations.

Under the plans, the existing bridge will be demolished, and a new, covered bridge will be put in its place, with two 16-person lifts.

A spokesman for the company told Epsom Guardian when the plans were submitted in March: “Network Rail nominated Ewell West station for Access for All funding as it met a number of the Department for Transport’s criteria and has increased footfall due to being the last station in the Oyster zone on the line between Raynes Park and Dorking.

“Accessibility at the station will bring benefits for everyone - people with health conditions or impairments, people with children, heavy luggage or shopping and those with mobility problems. It’s also good for the economy and means fewer car journeys, less congestion and carbon emissions.”

Network Rail intends to begin the work in July 2018.