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Friday 26 Jul 2024

Lift off for Isleworth station in west London

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Passengers can now benefit from step free access to both platforms at Isleworth station following the completion of a multi-million pound upgrade of the station and the surrounding area, funded by Network Rail and the London Borough of Hounslow.

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.

The station now boasts two new lifts either side of the raised platforms, making use of the existing subway, thanks to a £1m investment from Hounslow Council and funding from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ‘Access for All’ scheme (via Network Rail), which is used to create an obstacle free, accessible route from the station entrance to the platforms. 

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 upgrades that will 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 to improve the surrounding public realm.

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*. 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.

Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex Route Director, said: “We’re working constantly to remove barriers to make the railway easier to use for everyone so I’m delighted that all platforms now have direct step-free access as part of the Access for All scheme at Isleworth station.

“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.

“We know just how big a difference these accessibility improvements make to customers and our local communities, which is why they’re a key part of our accessibility strategy.”

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: “We are thrilled to see the installation of accessible lifts at Isleworth Station. 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.”