It was the scene of the Bexley derailment in 1997 when a freight train derailed very near the station.
History
Bexley station was opened in September 1866. It had five sidings on the down side, to the west of the station building with a row of coal stacks.[citation needed] Farm produce formed much of the goods traffic in the station's early years, much of it grown in local fields.[citation needed] The station had an SER-designed two-storey timber signal box which came into use about twenty years after the station opened.[citation needed] In 1955 the platforms were extended to accommodate ten carriage trains. The goods sidings closed in 1963 and the signal box closed in 1970.[citation needed] The clapboard buildings of the original station are well preserved.[2][3]
The station will have a new footbridge and lifts added during 2023[4]
Bexley derailment
The Bexley derailment was an accident which occurred on 4 February 1997 when an eastbound EWS freight train derailed near to Bexley station on the Dartford Loop Line.[5]
Railtrack plc, SEIMCL and STRCL were each convicted of various offences under section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 resulting in fines totalling £150,000 and £41,768. In his sentencing remarks, the judge said that it "was merciful that nobody was killed although four people were injured". The Inspectorate report describes it as "fortunate" that nobody was killed.
The primary cause of the accident was found to be very poor track maintenance, contributed to by an overloaded wagon.[citation needed]
Location
Bexley station is at the heart of Bexley Town centre (known as Bexley Village).[citation needed]
Facilities
A subway links the two platforms. The station has ticket gates. There is a 259-space car park.[citation needed]