Stoneleigh station will finally get step free access after its inclusion in the government's Access for All programme.

The news was announced by the Department of Transport (DoT) Thursday (April 4).

The DoT said that Stoneleigh was one of 73 railway stations in the UK to be included in the programme, which launched in 2006 and was extended with an extra £163 million in 2014.

The DoT added that the two halves of the suburb would gain step free access across the railway line.

Announcing the latest results of the Access for All programme Thursday (April 4), the DoT said: "The selected stations will, subject to a feasible design being possible, receive an accessible route into the station, as well as to and between every platform."

Campaigners who regularly use Stoneleigh station have lobbied for step free access there for for several years.

As the Surrey Comet reported in 2016, the Stoneleigh and Auriol Residents’ Association leading the campaign gained the support of several councillors from Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, including Cllr Eber Kington and Cllr Hannah Datlon — who launched a petition in favour of the plan.

The campaign subsequently gained the support of Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling, who welcomed Stoneleigh's inclusion in the programme on Thursday.

Mr Grayling said: "Local residents have campaigned for years for this improvement, and I am really pleased that Stoneleigh has been included in the latest part of the Government’s Access for All programme.

"The two halves of Stoneleigh are effectively cut off if you are disabled or have mobility issues, and I hope this change will make a real difference not just to rail passengers but also to local residents who just need easier access to the shops."

Design and planning for further details on the developments will commence shortly, the DoT said.