Ten more tube stations have been announced as the next to get step-free access upgrades, although funding is not yet in place to deliver the upgrades.
TfL staff assists a customer (c) TfL
Transport for London (TfL) says that the ten stations, spread across London, have been identified using an approach focused on the benefits to customers, such as reducing journey times for those needing to use step-free access and reflecting issues that impact the delivery of step-free access such as the feasibility of new lifts, sufficient space for work to be carried out and the depth of each Tube station.
The approach has also been influenced by feedback from accessibility campaigners and TfL’s consultation on step-free access, which took place in 2021.
The tube stations shortlisted in this next phase of step-free access are:
- Alperton
- Arnos Grove
- Burnt Oak
- Eastcote
- Finchley Road
- Northolt
- North Acton
- Rayners Lane
- West Hampstead Underground
- White City
Subject to funding being identified and the outcome of feasibility studies, this could mean the works to make the first of these stations step-free completing in 2026.
TfL is also doing further work to identify how best to provide step-free access on the southern section of the Northern line between Elephant and Castle and Morden, where there is currently a significant gap in step-free provision, and TfL aims to update on this work early next year.
Work on previously announced step-free upgrades at Leyton and Colindale will also be starting next year.
TfL is also continuing to engage local authorities, developers and businesses in other areas of London to explore what options are available to introduce further step-free access to stations. For instance, feasibility work at other stations, such as Boston Manor, East Putney, Hatton Cross, North Ealing, Park Royal, Rickmansworth, Ruislip and Snaresbrook could be progressed should the right amount of investment be provided by these organisations.
TfL is also working with Camden Council to develop plans to deliver accessibility upgrades at West Hampstead and Finchley Road Tube stations and with Brent Council for plans on Alperton station.
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “More than a third of the Tube network is now step-free, and we have also delivered the step-free Elizabeth line, as well as improvements on the London Overground, but we know that we must do more to make London’s transport network truly accessible and inclusive.
“This is why we’re working with partners to fund even more step-free access at Tube stations and these stations are a key part of these plans to create a more accessible public transport network that benefits everyone.”
There are now more than 200 step-free access stations across the TfL network, made up of 92 tube stations, 62 London Overground stations, all DLR stations and all Tram stops. All 41 Elizabeth line stations have step-free access, with the majority of central stations being step-free from street to train.
I’m amazed they weren’t able to secure funding for step free access at White City given the sheer amount of development happening all round the station. I suppose the excuse was step free access was already available from Wood Lane but White City really does need it. So much new residential, education and employment already open and soon to open that uses the station.
IMO the Westfield development was a missed opportunity to do a more substantial remodel of both Shepherds Bush and White City with step free access. Shepherds Bush should have been realigned underneath the first Westfield phase with bigger platforms, and Wood Lane should have been incorporated into White City as a single station with step-free interchange.
All of these things could have been developer funded with good CBRs but LU/TfL/LBHF either didn’t think big enough or negotiate hard enough.
How do you know that the various parties involved didn’t try to do what you suggest and didn’t think big enough or negotiate hard enough? Do you have any insights into the discussions that you want to share?
No Ian, I don’t have any insight into the discussions, or negotiations or any part of the planning process in White City. Hence why I’m “amazed they weren’t able to secure funding” given the sheer scale of the development. There have been several, far smaller schemes across the city that have resulted in step free funding that you yourself have reported on many times over the years.
I’m not sure why you’ve misinterpreted my comment as some sort of dig or criticism at TfL or the planners or whoever. It was quite clearly a justified comment that the area is experiencing significant regeneration across a number of different building uses, and it’s surprising to someone who can see the scale of this change compared to other schemes that have secured funding, that White City wasn’t already funded for step free access. It certainly didn’t warrant such a curt response.
Tufnell Park station could be made step-free with a couple of Stannah Stair Lifts from the existing lower lift landing down to the southbound and up to the northbound platforms.
The West Hampstead/Finchley road pair of stations has some significant challenges.
West Hampstead has been looked at before and deprioritised due to cost (reportedly £12m, and would impact an approved and “protected” (technically started but long from completin0 set of development plans from the owners of the property facing into the road at the side of the station). Plans would be further impacted by the controversial plans foe the redevelopment of the o2 shopping centre into housing.
Finchley road: To “sweeten” the deal for the locally controversial o2 shopping centre redevelopment into housing, Landsec, in the latest plans, has proposed a set of step free works for Finchley Road that they would be willing to fund (and something does need to be done to increase station capacity for the extra 5000 people that would be living nearby if the development goes ahead). Likely any attempt to make Finchley road step free (without reducing the available already cramped space) would need to extend into the land owned by Landsec (and a compulsory purchase would be costly). It’s an awkwardly shaped site.
There is a premium project that could improve both–deck over the lines (to provide amenity/retail space as well as expanded stations), rebuilding and linking both stations and provide additional access to a mid point (incorporating “Granny Dripping stairs”). Sadly likely too expensive to be funded, even as part of a major housing scheme nearby. Decking the other lines to the north would create a lot more development area but even the currently planned development is likely to outstrip current sewerage capacity.
The Burnt Oak scheme was due to happen in 2020; the platform waiting room, only installed a dozen years ago, closed in summer ’19 as it is due to be removed. The pandemic obviously suspended work – the contractor’s equipment stayed in place in the station car park for literally years – but then it was seemingly abandoned, albeit the waiting room remains closed. It’s a rather crude scheme with lots of clunky structure. A shame the Hendon approach wasn’t taken. FYI TfL are not obliged to consult the public under planning rules for any of this work.