Forum Topic

Step free Northfields

It does seem strange that both South Ealing and Northfields stations, both very busy stations, still have no step free access between them.I do recall when working on a local paper in the 1980s at an LRT press conference, that part and parcel of the rebuilding of South Ealing station without a lift facility was because it would be included in the refurbishment of Northfields " in due course".This was of course in a period of run down and neglect of the Underground network in general and then followed the Kings Cross fire and all resources were redirected to stations with wooden escalators.Northfields station by then was a listed building and was eventually refurbished in keeping with it's listed status to a degree.However, the probable deferment and eventual dropping of any sort of lift access is more likely to do with the huge cost due to the actual structural construction method of the station buildings.   The huge cost is unviable as originally conceived.However,There may well be another option though which is still evidential on the trackside to the north and east of the station.Northfields Station had a long forgotten second entrance in Weymouth Avenue. Lurking in the overgrowth are the concrete pillars that supported the raised walkway which linked to a footbridge and stairs to the two platforms at the Eastern end of the station platforms.Two possibilities :1. To recreate the raised but covered walkway from Northfields Stn parallel to the platforms linking to lifts at the far end by reinstating the gantry bridge2. Additionally reinstating the link to Weymouth Avenue as a secondary access which would also be step free which would benefit those who cannot use South Ealing which is unlikely to ever be step free.This would mean minimal structural works to the actual station and platforms at Northfields making cost effective and thus a viable possibility.

Mark Kehoe ● 2411d7 Comments

I measured it this morning and the access is actually less than 3 feet. A wheelchair could not safely move past and it is simply dangerous as the wheels would be right on the platform edge.  It is after all Wheelchair accessibility that is the prime mover for such projects although a huge number of others would benefit.You need 3ft plus the yellow zone of the platform factored in.  How would a double width pushchair or a single plus one child in hand get past safely?  It's simply not possible nor safe.If I could post pictures on this site to illustrate this then I would, but it seems somewhat complicated to do so and never works.  Which is a shame.

Mark Kehoe ● 2401d

Mark!Three feet is ample with some safety railing/wall.In line with other lift add-ons on the Maidenhead/Reading line the lift shaft is a self-supporting steel beam tower.This would also help reduce the load on the very busy Nortfields station if South Ealing was more attractive

Mark Julian Raymond ● 2401d

That's not possible.I'm Assuming you are talking about the gantry bridge that passengers use to get down to the platforms.  It is not structurally sufficient to support lift shafts.The lift and foundations to support the towers would have to be shoehorned in between the road bridge and the footbridge. With four close live tracks in between.However the biggest issue is how would one get out of the lift and past the staircase to the train?  The gap is less than 3ft and is not wide enough for even a large able adult. The platforms could not be widened at that point. In fact, lifts of a useful size will cause obstruction and pinch points anywhere on either platform and the waiting room is an example of that when the eastbound is very crowded.The alternative would be a spur gantry from the gantry bridge or ticket hall in a diagonal to serve both platforms further along but again it cannot support the load without a complete rebuild and there is the live railway adding to the equation. Modifying the cutting would be another possibility but would affect the rear gardens of properties and be very tricky to achieve.

Mark Kehoe ● 2401d

Mark, the beauty of South Ealing Tube station is how EASY it would be to actually add lifts. If you look at the layout there is a metal walkway separate from the South Ealing Road roadbridge along side it. The lifts could be added onto the South Ealing Road side of metal footbridge (which is actually fairly moderm) rising from the platform behind it and allowing people to move from the elevator to the metal walkway easily

Mark Julian Raymond ● 2402d

Good Point, But It's almost impossible to see how and where lifts could be put in at South Ealing without a huge amount of work and the cost would be astronomic.Unfortunately, in the present day, nothing seems to be affordable and improvisation and looking at all options is never really considered, so costs go off the scale and typical of this country is we talk and talk and talk and still end up with the wrong decisions and options more often than not.Hence my Northfields suggestion as the infrastructure is already there allowing a lower cost adaptation and opening up options for less able from two busy stations close together.I'm not sure about the plans for other stations but Ravenscourt Park, Stamford Brook and Chiswick Park are really tricky for a wide range of passengers with a lot of stairs and with bus service cuts and indirect links make these stations also in need of lifts.In some countries they have escalators adapted for safe wheelchair , cycle and buggy use and are in outdoor environments in suburban areas.  I can't think of any here like that, and very few conventional ones apart from Greenford.  Funny how department stores and offices can afford them but a public transport system with a huge captive income cannot.

Mark Kehoe ● 2402d

South Ealing Tube Station provides access to two large sheltered housing complexes (Cherry Close and Lindsay House) as well as being the nearest tube station to the Clayponds Rehabilition hospital, should it not merit step free access?

Mark Julian Raymond ● 2404d

It would be great to see the Weymouth Av. entrance re-open!

Jim McCauley ● 2405d