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Tuesday 9 May 2023

Accessibility improvements underway at Isleworth station in west London

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Wessex

Rail customers in west London are set to benefit from a fully accessible Isleworth station following confirmation of a £3m investment which will see new lifts and walkways installed amongst other upgrades.

Network Rail is working with South Western Railway and London Borough of Hounslow Council to install new lifts either side of the raised platforms, making use of the existing subway.

Hounslow Council has contributed £1m to the scheme which will see the new lifts providing step free access to the central platforms, making it easier for customers to navigate their way around the station.

Network Rail’s team of engineers started work at the beginning of April and are expecting the lifts to be completed and open to customers in early 2024. The improvements at Isleworth station are part of a wider scheme of upgrades to a number of stations across Network Rail’s Southern region, helping make the railway more accessible for all.

Oma Megbele, Network Rail’s commercial scheme sponsor, said: “We’re really pleased to see this project get underway. It’s important that our stations are accessible so that all customers can navigate their way round them travel on the railway with ease and comfort.

“We’re working closely with our partners at South Western Railway, Hounslow Council and the local community to ensure we minimise disruption to customers and local residents throughout the work.”

Councillor Katherine Dunne, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate, environment and transport strategy of Hounslow Council said: “This work at Isleworth station is a fantastic step forward to improving access for all to public transport with all the benefits that public transport offers to making us a cleaner, greener borough. Not only will the work improve access to disabled travellers, but it will also improve the customer experience for families with pushchairs and those with luggage. The work builds on our commitment to improve accessibility at stations in the borough.

“The timing of this work also compliments the wider improvements to be delivered by the Council. This will provide new cycle access from St John’s Road into the station car park, to give cyclists improved access to the station as well providing a quiet and safer route between London Road and St John’s Road.” 

Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford & Isleworth, said: ‘‘After many years of campaigning by people locally I was delighted that Isleworth station will be getting these much needed improvements to accessibility, including new lifts to provide access to the platform.

"These new improvements will make a huge difference to people locally and will make it much easier for people who are commuting into work, visiting London or simply trying to get out and about. Accessibility improvements like these are a crucial part in making London a welcoming city for everyone.

"I’d like to thank Hounslow Council, South Western Railway and Network Rail for all the hard work that has gone into making these works a reality and I look forward to seeing the difference they make for people locally.’’

David Wilby, regional development manager for South Western Railway, said: “The new lifts at Isleworth will be important for all of our customers, including those with reduced mobility who require lifts to gain access to the platforms. This is just one of the six multi-million-pound accessibility projects that will be completed at South Western Railway stations by 2024, which is thanks to both a significant investment by the Access for All team and, in this case, the hard work, funding and long periods of campaigning by our stakeholders.”