Stations On The West Ruislip Branch Of The Central Line To Be Made Step-Free
Hanger Lane and Northolt stations are going to be made step-free.
I took these pictures on the 25th January 2018
Hanger Lane
Northolt
Summary
No work has started!
These two stations are similar in design, as are most stations from between Perivale and Ruislip Gardens.
- Each has a single island platform.
- Steep stairs come down in the middle of the platform.
- A single lift would make the stations step-free from ticket hall to platforms.
- Hanger Lane would need an extra lift from street to ticket hall.
Only Greenford, which has a junction with the Greenford Branch and is elevated, is built to different design.
Greenford Station’s Inclined Lift
At Greenford, an inclined lift has been used, as I wrote in The Inclined Lift In An Improved Greenford Station.
This picture was taken at Greenford station.
Could this be fitted alongside a rebuilt staircase on these Central Line stations?
- The lift and stairs would be sized to fit across the platform.
- A bigger hole in the ticket hall would be needed.
- Access under the stairs would not be needed for passengers.
- An inclined lift installation might be more popular with the Heritage Lobby.
It could even be possible to keep the station open during the rebuilding work.
This article on Transport For All is entitled London’s First Incline Lift. This is a paragraph.
Research by Ealing Council shows that installing incline lifts are a cost effective solution for making inaccessible stations step-free. TfL initially estimated a cost of £10m to install a traditional vertical lift at Greenford station. The incline lift makes a huge saving as it only costs £2.2m with a proposed £200,000 contribution from Ealing Council.
That is a 78% cost saving.
I can’t find any complaints on the Internet about the installation at Greenford.
What Are Transport for London’s Plans?
Transport for London have stated that their aim is to eventually have all Underground stations with full step-free access.
I have this feeling that Hanger Lane and Northolt were added to the list for these reasons.
- The success of the inclined lift at Greenford station.
- Studies have shown that inclined lifts could be used at these stations.
- The affordability of inclined lifts.
- Local residents have used Greenford’s lift and want one!
- Ruislip Gardens, South Ruislip and Perivale stations could be made step-free in the same way.
Transport for London could be going for a traditional solution! But I doubt it!
Tube Stations To Be Made Step-Free
This article on City AM is entitled London Mayor Sadiq Khan Names The Next 13 Tube Stations Going Step-Free.
They are.
- Boston Manor – Piccadilly Line
- Burnt Oak – Northern Line
- Debden – Central Line
- Hanger Lane – Central Line
- Ickenham – Metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines
- Northolt – Central Line
- North Ealing – Piccadilly Line
- Park Royal – Piccadilly Line
- Rickmansworth – Metropolitan Line
- Ruislip – Metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines
- Snaresbrook – Central Line
- Sudbury Hill – Piccadilly Line
- Wimbledon Park – District Line
These are in addition to these stations, which are already in the pipeline for step-free access.
- Amersham – Metropolitan Line
- Bromley-by-Bow – District And Hammersmith & City Lines – Opening in 2018
- Buckhurst Hil – Central Line – Opening in 2018
- Cockfosters – Piccadilly Line
- Harrow-on-the-Hill – Metropolitan Line – Opening in 2019
- Mill Hill East – Northern Line
- Newbury Park – Central Line – Opening in 2018
- Osterley – Piccadilly Line
- South Woodford – Central Line
As the City AM article reports that the new thirteen station will cost £200 million to upgrade, there is around £300 million of work to9 be done in total.
Perhaps some of the contracts will go the companies hit by Carillion’s failure!
The Anonymous Widower 