Transport for London has announced that Acton Main Line railway station has become the latest step-free station after new lifts and a ticket hall has opened to passengers.
To prepare for the Elizabeth Line, Network Rail has built a new ticket hall from steel and glass as well as an accessible footbridge and lifts to serve both platforms.
Additionally, waiting shelters, lighting, signage and information screens have all received improvements.
Acton Main Line opened in 1868 and now has step-free access for the first time in 150 years, improving services for passengers between London Paddington, Heathrow and Reading.
Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “These upgrades at Acton Main Line have provided this 150-year-old Victorian station with a new lease of life.
“Most notably, the station now has step-free access from street to platform for the first time ever, a much-needed upgrade that will significantly improve services for passengers in preparation for services to start on the Elizabeth line next year.”
Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said:“I'm really pleased that step-free access is now in place at Acton Main Line, and will be in place shortly at West Ealing and Ealing Broadway stations. When lockdown eases in the coming months and more Londoners return to the transport network, these improvements will make public transport more accessible and make a huge difference to many people's everyday lives, especially for disabled people, older people and those with young children.”
Howard Smith, TfL's Chief Operating Officer, Elizabeth line, said: “These vital improvements mean Acton Main Line is ready for future Elizabeth line services. It's great that these new facilities will be available for customers that need to travel now and the many that will return to our services in the future.
“Station improvements at West Ealing and Ealing Broadway such as new lifts for step-free access will soon follow, not just providing step-free access for TfL Rail customers but also for those using the District and Central lines.”
Tim Ball, Elizabeth line director at Network Rail said: “Acton Main Line is one of nine stations that we are completely transforming as part of our preparation for the Elizabeth line. The new facilities are a massive improvement for passengers using the station – the new ticket office is light and airy and for the first time in its 152 year history, the station is now fully accessible, with lifts providing step-free access from street level to platforms.”
Julian Bell, Leader of Ealing Council said: “An improved ticket hall and step free access to Acton Main Line is great news for local commuters as we prepare for the arrival of the Elizabeth Line to the station. West Ealing and Ealing Broadway will also see significant enhancements to the stations in the near future, creating further space and greater access from platform to street for commuters.
“We will continue to work alongside our partners TfL and Network Rail to improve and enhance local transport facilities across the borough as we move towards the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in the coming months.”
John Deery, Project Manager for GRAHAM, who carried out the construction on behalf of Network Rail, said: “We're pleased to have completed the upgrades to this historic and popular station, which will undoubtedly improve the passenger experience for years to come. These modern ticketing and step-free access facilities will provide greater comfort and convenience for passengers in anticipation of the Elizabeth line opening and will ensure the station is well prepared for increased usage once restrictions are lifted.”
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West Ealing has also been upgraded with a new station entrance and lifts. Shame about Hanwell station because it’s a “listed” and can’t be demolished or upgraded except it has a lift on platform 1 (London bound).