New Ealing Broadway Station Opens To Passengers
Much delayed project finally completed providing step free access
The new entrance to Ealing Broadway station
A large new ticket hall is the centrepiece of the new design of Ealing Broadway station that was finally unveiled this Thursday (27 May) after much delay.
There will now be step-free access to TfL Rail, District and Central line platforms as well as for Great Western Railway services.
Other enhancements carried out by Network Rail include a new ticket office, gatelines and customer information screens. A glass frontage aims to make the station entrance feel less cramped than it used to be.
The station is staffed at all times while trains are running with ramps available for those that need them to board trains.
Ealing Broadway originally opened in 1879 and now for the first new lifts enable step-free journeys, improving accessibility for those needing to travel to stations between Paddington, Heathrow and Reading. Staff are on hand to assist anyone needing a manual boarding ramp to get on or off the Central line, TfL Rail or Great Western Railway trains at the platforms, and all London Underground and TfL Rail stations operate a turn-up-and-go service for customers needing assistance.
The original access to the station at Ealing Broadway
Work around the station on the local environment and public realm is being carried out by the London Borough of Ealing and will continue until spring 2022.
As part of the new station building, three new retail units are being constructed. These will be leased out by TfL later this year.
The Elizabeth line (Crossrail) is due to open in the first half of 2022. When the railway opens passengers travelling on services from the west of England, Reading or Heathrow will still initially have to change trains at Paddington National Rail station and onto Elizabeth line services from the new station into central London.
New ticket hall at Ealing Broadway station
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.”
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.”
Lifts at Ealing Broadway station provide step free access
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.”
Step-free access to be provided at Southall, Hayes & Harlington and West Drayton later this year.
May 27, 2021