I am delighted to have helped secure a share of £300m from the Government’s Access for All scheme to fund work to improve accessibility at Catford station. Similar work at Hither Green station will also be progressed.

This is something myself and community groups have lobbied rail ministers on and raised with rail operators since being elected in June last year.

I am delighted to see this long-overdue commitment to Catford and Hither Green from the Government, which I hope will provide step-free improvements for disabled users, young families and those with heavy luggage.

According to the Office of Road and Rail Catford station saw more than 1 million people enter and exit the station in the year 2016 -17 and is a crucial regional hub with new housing developments nearby.

Every station in our community should have step-free access, and I will keep working with Lewisham Station Users Group and The Cinderella Line to ensure improvements to our railways are community-led.

I remain concerned to see work begin on a similar scheme at Hither Green station, which the Government had committed to funding several years ago but had then delayed.

Four out of the six platforms at Hither Green station are currently only accessible by steps. Though the station has a ramp, this is often too steep to assist users. I know the community wants work get underway.

Myself and neighbouring MP Vicky Foxcroft wrote to Accessibility Minister Nusrat Ghani in October last year, urging her to prioritise work at the station.

3.37 million people entered and exited Hither Green in the year 2016-17, making it the busiest mainline station in the Lewisham East and Lewisham Deptford constituencies without step-free access.

I will continue to lobby rail ministers to ensure the scheme comes to fruition.

You can see the full government announcement here.