Chatham railway station is to get a share of £100m to improve access for disabled passengers.

Rail minister Baroness Kramer has announced today that work will take place at 42 stations across the UK as part of the Access for All scheme. Previous work under the scheme has included improvements such as new ramps, lifts or tactile paving.

Baroness Kramer said: “We are transforming our railways through record levels of investment and improving accessibility at stations is an important part of that.

“These improvements will make a real difference to the lives of disabled passengers and those with limited mobility, allowing them to get to work and pursue leisure activities more easily. That’s good news for them and good news for the economy.”

Detailed designs and costing for each station have not yet been drawn up by Network Rail but the projects are due to be completed by 2019.

Robin Gisby, managing director of network operations at Network Rail, said: “More and more people are travelling on our railways than ever before, so it’s important that we make taking the train as easy as possible for everyone.

"Better accessibility will mean a better experience for people with reduced mobility, carrying heavy luggage or travelling with children, but we’ll also be investing to improve signage and customer information for all passengers.”

The stations were nominated by the rail industry and selected for funding according to passenger numbers, the needs of the local area and proximity to facilities such as hospitals or schools for disabled children.