New lifts which will improve access at a station close to a Paralympic Games venue in Kent have been opened to the public.

Network Rail installed the lifts at Swanley station in time for the Paralympic Games after nearby Brands Hatch was announced as the venue for the cycling.

The lifts are part of a wider multi-million pound project, funded through the government’s Access for All scheme and national stations improvement programme, which will also see an improved station building, better signage and information, a refurbished ticket office, 30 new cycling spaces and better toilet facilities.

Fiona Taylor, Network Rail’s route managing director for Kent, said: “Since Brands Hatch was announced as the cycling venue for the Paralympic Games, we have worked hard to deliver better access at Swanley station. The lifts will make a big difference during the games as well as to the daily travel experience of thousands of passengers for many years to come.”

Vince Lucas, service delivery director for Southeastern, said: “With the Olympics now behind us, we’re concentrating our efforts on delivering the best possible service for our regular customers and the up-coming Paralympic period. We’re pleased that the lifts are now ready to go; this will make a big difference to the accessibility of this station, particularly during the Paralympic Games when our services and stations will again be extra busy.

“Our advice to passengers or spectators requiring our assisted travel service during the Games is to book ahead by contacting Southeastern customer services.”

Work will continue on the remaining improvements to be made at Swanley station and are due to be completed later this year.