Campaign Launched To Make Northfields Station Step Free
Residents unhappy that local station not included in TfL accessibility plans
Local residents have launched a new campaign to make Northfields Tube Station step free.
Ealing Fields Residents Association members were joined by politicians from all parties to press for it to be included in the programme to make stations in London accessible to all.
The campaign is being jointly spearheaded with Transport for All - a charity promoting accessibility to the country’s transport infrastructure.
Transport for London (TfL) is investing £200m to deliver step-free access for a number of stations so that that by 2022 over 100 Tube stations will be step-free. However residents in Northfields want to know why the local station is not included in this programme.
It's one of the busiest in London with 4 million people exiting and entering each year. By contrast North Ealing station - where only 800,000 passengers use the station each year – is included in the current programme of improvements.
Because the station is not step free, EFRA say access to the Northfields platforms is denied or at least extremely hazardous for those willing to tackle the stairs – people who are wheelchair-users, use crutches, are visually-impaired or struggle with a buggy or heavy luggage.
TfL cites the high cost as the reason for omitting Northfields from its programme to make the tube station step free. But it has not carried out a full feasibility study to support its position.
EFRA believes that there is a compelling case for making Northfields station step free given the numbers that use the station; its location next to the Northfields depot; its popularity by virtue of being in Zone 3; and its location close to busy bus routes.
Roger Jarman, Chair of EFRA, says, ''‘With Northfields station next to a large depot, trains often terminate here when there are problems further up the line towards Heathrow. When this happens travellers to the airport are forced to carry their bags up two flights of stairs to catch a bus to continue their journeys. You do wonder what travellers think of our poor facilities when they are forced to use the stairs at Northfields. It is shameful that Northfields station is not already step free.''
TfL is about to consult on another investment programme to make more stations step free. EFRA is urging that all those using the station should sign its online petition to ensure that Northfields station is on the next phase of the improvement programme and that step free access to the station’s platforms is available as soon as possible.
Visit change.org/Make Northfields Station Step Free to sign up to EFRA’s campaign.
September 18th 2018