Network Rail has announced that the new ticket hall and lifts have opened at Ealing Broadway railway station in London.
The new lifts will enable step-free journeys on services provided by TfL Rail, London Underground (District and Central lines) and Great Western Railway.
Staff at the station will be able to provide ramps for passengers that need them to board the trains.
The station at Ealing Broadway is the latest to become step-free ahead of the Elizabeth Line opening, all 41 stations on the line will be step-free when it is fully opened in 2022.
Opened in 1879 the station now has a new glass frontage making the entrance brighter and has a new longer gateline making the entrance much less cramped.
Platforms have been extended to accommodate the new trains, other improvements include new signage, customer information screens and lighting.
The new retails units are being constructed at Ealing Broadway and will be leased out later this year.
Work at other stations including Southall, Hayes & Harlington and West Drayton is continuing.
Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, said: “I'm pleased that upgrades to Ealing Broadway, a crucial interchange station on the rail network, have been completed. This is a Victorian station transformed for modern passengers ahead of the Elizabeth line opening.”
Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: “I'm really pleased that Ealing Broadway station now has step-free access as this will make a huge difference to people with mobility needs and the wider public. Together with the ongoing station improvements and the opening of the Elizabeth line in the first half of next year, transport in this part of West London is set to be transformed.”
Andy Lord, Managing Director of London Underground, said: “Ealing Broadway is a crucial interchange on the TfL network for TfL Rail, London Underground and Great Western Railway customers. These improvements bring the Victorian station up to modern standards whilst enabling customers to make step-free journeys. The station is now equipped for future Elizabeth line services and more pleasant for those using the transport network now.”
Tim Ball, Elizabeth line director at Network Rail, said: “With our upgrades of Acton Main Line and West Ealing already completed this year it is great news for passengers that Ealing Broadway has now been transformed too. This busy station now has the modern facilities it needs and, while we still have some work to complete behind the scenes, we were determined, along with our industry colleagues, to give passengers the benefit of step-free access as early as possible.”
Councillor Deirdre Costigan, deputy leader and member for climate action, said: “An improved Ealing Broadway station is great news for residents and commuters – particularly as we continue to recover and respond to the pandemic and some people may be beginning to use public transport a bit more.
“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 within GRAHAM's Civil Engineering division, said: “It is fantastic to see the completion of phase one of our work at Ealing Broadway station. We have worked to ensure the upgrades remain sympathetic to the station's original features, while providing modern ticketing facilities, customer information and step-free access. Londoners and visitors alike will benefit from these facilities if they are using TfL Rail, London Underground and Great Western Railway services.”
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Good to see lifts installed at Ealing Broadway.