Work at Catford Station Links project to finally begin 2026 say Lewisham Council
Plans to improve public space around two Catford stations is set to finally begin later this year according to an update given by Lewisham Council.
The “Catford Station Links” project has been around for many years now and covered on this site back in 2020. At the time £1,515,537 in Section 106 revenue was allocated instead of being spent on a footbridge between Doggett Road and a Barratt housing development on the former Catford Greyhound site.
Plans were supposed to be submitted back in 2023. Ideas included changes to paving, areas by the river and river decks.
Two stations sit side by side in the area with Thameslink calling at Catford and Southeastern at Catford Bridge. A not particularly nice underpass links stations to Catford retail park.
The latest update follows the authority stating in 2o25: “The Council has therefore developed a phased approach to the delivery of improvements and progress is being made on further required surveys to support underpass widening. This element of work is due to commence later in 2025”.
TfL
In a written reply this week Lewisham Council now state they are “working with Transport for London (TfL) on the underpass element, with detailed surveys and new structural design now underway.
“Once these designs and approvals are finalised, construction on the underpass will begin later in 2026, followed by wider public realm works.”.
Delays have been blamed on “the complexity of third-party stakeholders and team capacity”.
With the threat of losing £1.5 million in Section 106 funds, the authority have confirmed that “the s106 expiry date has been waived to support delivery”.
Of all the ways to spend a million and a half quid in Catford, this is not it.
What would you suggest?
I think its probably limited options given its s106 funds.
If both stations could get 4th an hour 7 days a week, it would be worth calling it Catford Interchange. London Overground where are yooooou?
I reckon they need to find a way to widen the road bridge and then the road under the tunnel
Ideally, the project would have prioritized increasing the pavement surface area on the bridge itself – particularly on the south side. This area serves two major bus stops accommodating eight different routes, resulting in heavy foot traffic throughout the day. Currently, the space is inadequate for commuters, runners, and those with prams or physical disabilities to navigate safely. It is disappointing that such a busy hotspot remains poorly designed in this day and age. While the underpass improvements are welcome, the surface-level issues are far more critical and, in my view, represent a significant health and safety hazard.
As Catford and Catford Bridge stations are very much near to each other or even close to each other. I do think that there should be a major interchange with the 2 stations to merge together and to be renamed as Catford Interchange station. With a bus station built next door to the 2 railway stations at Catford if it’s possible.
A bus station wouldn’t happen. But a new large interchange station could happen and to merge both Catford and Catford Bridge stations together and to rename it as Catford Interchange.
I have been to Catford and Catford Bridge stations. And I wonder why that these 2 railway stations in Catford, Southeast London are so close to each other. Plus I do know that Geoff Marshall has been to both stations before.