No Lift Access at St Pancras Thameslink Until September in Major Upgrade

Passengers travelling through London St Pancras International are being warned that step-free access to the Thameslink platforms will be suspended for several months as refurbishment work is carried out on the station’s lifts.

The two lifts serving the Thameslink section of the station are due to close from 15 June 2026 and are not expected to return to service until around mid-September. The work is aimed at replacing and upgrading important components to improve reliability and reduce the number of unexpected breakdowns affecting passengers.

During the refurbishment period, passengers who can use stairs or escalators will still be able to reach the platforms, while station staff will remain available to assist customers where required. However, there will be no direct step-free access available to or from the Thameslink platforms for the duration of the works.

Passengers who rely on lifts, including wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility, are being advised to use alternative routes and nearby stations during the closure. Rail staff will also help customers plan journeys and provide support throughout the disruption.

Mark Budden, route director for Network Rail East Midlands, said:

“We know how important these lifts are for many of our passengers, and we’re sorry for the disruption this work will cause, particularly for those who rely on step-free access every day. The reality is that the lifts have become increasingly unreliable, with unplanned outages making journeys difficult and unpredictable. This refurbishment is about putting that right. By carrying out this work now, we can deliver a much more reliable and consistent service in the long term, giving passengers greater confidence that the facilities they depend on will be there when they need them.”

Thameslink customer service director Jenny Saunders said:

“St Pancras is one of our busiest station stops on the Thameslink network, so it’s vitally important that these ageing lifts are refurbished to give our passengers a reliable step-free route. We’ll have extra staff on hand to help passengers with luggage and pushchairs but anyone who can’t use the escalators will regrettably need to switch to a nearby station, most likely Farringdon from where they can take the Tube to St Pancras for no extra charge. I appreciate this will add time to some people’s journeys and I apologise for that. In the long term this improvement work will provide a much better experience for everyone.”

The temporary closure is likely to affect large numbers of passengers using one of central London’s busiest rail interchanges throughout the summer, particularly those who depend on accessible routes through the station.

Image: Govia Thameslink Railway