A ground-breaking event took place at Finsbury Park Station on Monday the 13th of December ahead of the project, to make the station fully accessible, moving into its latest phase.
This latest stage of the project will see two new lifts put in place, which will serve platforms 3&4 and 7&8 and provide step-free access for passengers throughout the entire station.
The project see's a partnership formed between Govia Thameslink Railway and Transport for London with funding provided via the Department for Transport's Access for All programme.
Starting in July, engineers have been preparing the site by installing equipment to allow materials to be lifted safely from Stroud Green Road to platform level and has meant having to use temporary hoardings to keep disruption to a minimum.
Following the installation of the lifts, the project will then see further improvements put in place for passengers such as the updating of station signage, laying tactile paving, upgrades to lighting and the installation of extra CCTV cameras.
The station's ticket gate line is also going to be moved to the Station Place entrance, which will aid peoples movement around the station.
The work currently underway for the project will not affect train services and is due to complete in November 2022.
Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, said: “I'm delighted that the final phase of making Finsbury Park a fully accessible station is now underway. Congratulations to Network Rail and the contractors involved.
“It seems like only yesterday that I was responding to community calls to support a fully accessible station. It's finally happened. Thank you.”
Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail, said: “We are committed to improving accessibility for passengers and these major improvements at Finsbury Park station will make sure people can travel in confidence.
“Today marks a key milestone in this project which will bring step-free access across the entire station – making it easier for passengers to commute into central London or connect to the East Coast Main Line.”
Jenny Saunders, Great Northern and Thameslink Customer Services Director, said: “Finsbury Park is one of our busiest stations where customers frequently change trains or switch on to the Tube. The stairs at Finsbury are a real barrier to many of our disabled customers, as well as to mums and dads with pushchairs, passengers with luggage and many older people. Today's ground-breaking ceremony is such good news – we can't wait for these lifts to open.”
Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council's Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We're committed to creating a more equal Islington, where it is easier for everyone to travel safely and easily.
“We are pleased that these major improvement works at Finsbury Park will bring step-free access to the station, making it easier for local people, especially disabled people, to travel with confidence.”
