Council promises it will 'not let this rest'
Installing a lift at the new Shepherd's Bush tube station on the Central Line could cost as much as £100million, sparking concern from residents that the station may not be accessible to disabled passengers.
However, Transport for London (TfL) commissioner Peter Hendy has promised that providing step-free access at a newly refurbished Shepherd's Bush station was still a priority, while asking for time to solve major engineering difficulties which are threatening to substantially inflate costs.
It has been reported that providing a lift shaft at the station could cost up to £100million.
Mr Hendy said buried water mains, sewers, gas pipes and electricity cables – as well as the configuration of the platforms – were causing major engineering difficulties.
However he told Hammersmith and Fulham Council's deputy leader Cllr Nicholas Botterill: “This has not slipped off our agenda, nor will it. We just need time and space to try and work through these engineering difficulties in order to find a solution. We understand this is a major priority for the council.”
The Central line station has been closed for refurbishment since February and, although the new lifts were not due to be installed in the current revamp, councillors reminded TfL of its intention to install them at a later date. Cllr Botterill said: “We will simply not let this issue rest and TfL are well aware of that.”
MP for Shepherd's Bush, Andy Slaughter said that Hammersmith and Fulham disability group Hafad were concerned that the costs of the lifts appeared to be escalating.
The nearby Shepherd's Bush Overground Station is currently 11 months over schedule due to a platform being built which was too narrow.
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