Ribbon Cut on New Lifts at Isleworth Station
Much delayed step-free access officially opened
The upgraded station was opened by Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Karen Smith, alongside MP for Brentford and Isleworth, Ruth Cadbury. Picture: Network Rail
July 26, 2024
The delayed multi-million pound project to install two lifts at Isleworth train station has now been completed and an official opening ceremony has taken place.
The newly upgraded station was formally opened by Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Karen Smith, alongside MP for Brentford and Isleworth, Ruth Cadbury, representatives from Network Rail, South Western Railway (SWR) and London Borough of Hounslow Council.
Passengers now have step free access to both platforms following the completion of a upgrade of the station and the surrounding area, funded by Network Rail and the London Borough of Hounslow. £1m of the investment came from Hounslow Council and with additional funding from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ‘Access for All’ scheme (via Network Rail),
The two new lifts either side of the raised platforms make use of the existing subway, to create an obstacle free, accessible route from the station entrance to the platforms.
When the project was announced, step free access was due to be in place in November 2023 but no reason was given for it falling behind schedule.
The Council has also carried out works to improve cycle access to the station from St John’s Road and is currently consulting with station-users about a range of changes that aim to further improve accessibility and safety following a feasibility study funded by the South Western Railway Customer and Communities Improvement Fund. The proposed new measures include new street furniture, cycle parking, wayfinding and planting.
Isleworth station, which is situated on the Hounslow loop, first opened in 1850 and in the past year saw 780,000 passengers started or ended their journey.
Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex Route Director, said, ““We welcome the continued investment from the DfT to support us in making even more stations fully accessible and we have a number of other stations across our Southern region that are currently being upgraded or about to benefit from accessibility improvements in the coming months. We are also grateful for the support of Hounslow Council to improve access to the station and the enthusiasm in which they are supporting the railway.
“We would like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience and understanding while we carried out this work and we hope passengers enjoy this newly upgraded station and surrounding area."
Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director for South Western Railway, said, “We’re very pleased to see these new lifts unveiled at Isleworth which, in line with Hounslow London Borough Council’s ambition of making all of its stations step-free, will make this station fully accessible for the very first time.
“This is the first of five new footbridges that are due to open across our network this year, with construction well underway at Barnes, Motspur Park, Stoneleigh and Teddington.”
Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford and Isleworth, said: ‘‘I’m delighted that these new lifts will be open at Isleworth Train Station. I know that it will make a huge difference to improving the accessibility of the station and ensuring that residents locally can make the most of the station.
“It’s so important that we improve the accessibility of our train stations to ensure everyone feels safe and able to use our trains at all times of the day, and no matter what sort of journey is being made.
“These improvements come after many years of campaigning by residents, disability rights activists, community groups, local councillors, and many others.’’
Cllr Katherine Dunne, Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport, said she was thrilled with the new lifts adding, “This marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to make public transport more inclusive and accessible for all residents.
“As part of this work, we have conducted accessibility audits at all national rail and TfL stations in the borough. We are working with the operators on improvement plans.
“We are pleased to say Kew Bridge and Gunnersbury stations have been awarded Access for All funding for us to explore the possibility of step-free access.
“These improvements will make travelling easier for individuals with disabilities, parents with strollers, and older people, ensuring that everyone can move around our community with greater ease and independence.”
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